Forecast stormy weather will result in elevated avalanche danger. Alpine areas in this region may develop deep storm slabs in the next few days.
Confidence
Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Tuesday
Weather Forecast
Overnight: 10-20 mm of precipitation falling as rain up to 1300 metres, combined with moderate southwest winds. Tuesday: Heavy precipitation (30-40 mm) during the day combined with moderate to strong southerly winds and freezing levels near 1400 metres. Wednesday: Another 20-30 mm of precipitation by morning and more during the day, combined with moderate southwest winds and freezing levels reaching 1500 metres. Thursday: A brief ridge of high pressure should bring clear skies and strong solar radiation after the storm.
Avalanche Summary
Loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported from the Hollyburn area on Monday.
Snowpack Summary
New snow is expected at alpine elevations tonight and tomorrow. Freezing levels are uncertain, so there may be new snow at treeline, or it may be mostly rain. Areas that receive new snow and wind are expected to further develop new storm slabs. Rain soaked snow at lower elevations may fail as loose wet avalanches on steep convex rolls or steep creek banks and cut blocks.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.