Regions
South Coast Inland.
Stiff wind slabs may continue to be reactive to human triggers. Loose dry sluffing is likely with the new snow.
Weather Forecast
The Coquihalla may see higher snowfall amounts.THURSDAY NIGHT: 5 cm of new snow. Alpine temperatures near -10 and ridgetop winds light from the northeast.FRIDAY: Cloudy with snow amounts 5-15 cm. Alpine temperatures near -8 and ridgetop winds moderate from the northeast.SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures near -16 and ridgetop winds moderate from the northeast. SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with alpine temperatures near -14. Ridgetop winds mostly light from the northeast with strong gusts.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, a few natural small wind slabs up to size 1 were reported in the northern part of the region. Otherwise, no new avalanches were reported.
Snowpack Summary
Alpine terrain is heavily wind affected to varying degrees on all aspects. 15-30 cm of snow and sifting winds from last weekend has formed wind slabs predominantly on southerly aspects. This recent snow is sitting a variety of old snow surfaces including a crust on all but northerly aspects, wind pressed and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar and/or sugary facets in sheltered terrain at treeline and below. Below this 50-80 cm down sits a crust that formed mid-January right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m. Additionally at this depth, feathery surface hoar may be found in shady sheltered areas at treeline. This surface hoar layer is reported to be most prevalent in the far southeast of the region near Manning Park but is unreactive at this time.The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.