Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Synopsis: The storm track is aimed squarely at the Northwest this week. We’re certain to see some spillover into inland sections but the brunt will be felt right along the coast. Expect 10-20 mm of precipitation each day with the heaviest amounts possible on Friday. The freezing level should be gradually climbing to between 1500 and 1700 m. Winds are strong from the SW throughout the week.

There were no new observations on Monday. A couple size natural size 2 wind slabs were reported from steep wind loaded terrain (northeast facing) on Sunday. Avalanche activity will probably be on the rise over the next few days with wet activity at lower elevations and wind and storm slabs above 1500 m.

Strong southerly winds are building wind slabs, generally depositing snow on NW-NE aspects (other aspects may be getting cross-loaded or variable local wind effects too, so keep your eyes open). A surface hoar layer was reported to have been buried at the start of January in the northern part of the region. This may be around 20-40 cm deep now. In the mid-pack, a crust weakness buried in mid-December seems to have fallen off most operators' radar for now. Near the base of the snowpack is a November crust-facet combination that could remain problematic, especially in shallower snowpack areas with heavy loading and warming this week.