Regions
Northwest Coastal.
Although forecast confidence is low, there is certainty that recent heavy snowfall and ongoing loading is elevating avalanche danger in the region. Please post your observations to the Mountain Information Network. (MIN)
Confidence
Low - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
Thursday night: Flurries bringing approximately 10 cm of new snow. Moderate to strong southwest winds.Friday: Flurries bringing 5-15 cm of new snow. Strong to extreme southwest winds. Freezing level to 800 metres with alpine temperatures around -4.Saturday: Continuing flurries bringing 10-15 cm of new snow. Moderate to strong southeast winds. Freezing level to about 700 metres with alpine temperatures around -3Sunday: Scattered flurries bringing 5-10 cm of new snow Moderate to strong south winds. Freezing level to about 700 metres with alpine temperatures of about -5.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity has been reported, but this lack of information does not represent benign conditions. Watch for the presence and sensitivity of storm slabs to increase with elevation and please post your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN)
Snowpack Summary
50-60 mm of precipitation fell over the region over Wednesday, accompanied by moderate to strong winds and freezing levels around 800 metres. Under these conditions, new snow accumulations of up to 60 cm may now form our upper snowpack at upper elevations. New snow depths and wind effect will increase with elevation. Although the composition of the mid and lower snowpack in the region is uncertain, rapid loading of the upper snowpack carries the potential to activate weaker layers that are likely to have formed during the early season.
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.