Natural avalanche activity can be expected if the sun makes an appearance on Saturday.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Saturday: Overcast with possible sunny breaks in the afternoon / Light and variable winds / Freezing level rising to 2300mSunday: Clear skies / Light and variable winds / Freezing level at 2900mMonday: 10-15mm of precipitation / Moderate southerly winds / Freezing level at 2300m
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday a size 1 storm slab was accidentally skier-triggered in high, north-facing terrain at the south end of the Squamish-Cheakamus divide. No other avalanches were reported. Looking forward, expect a new round of storm slab activity in response to new snow and strong winds on Friday night. If forecast warming and solar radiation arrives early, loose wet avalanches can also be expected.
Snowpack Summary
Strong southeast winds and snowfall on Friday are expected to form new storm slabs in exposed lee terrain. Below the new storm snow, you'll find about 25-50 cm of relatively low-density snow which overlies a thick crust that was buried on January 6. This crust exists up to about 2000m. Beneath the January 6 crust, the lower snowpack is generally strong and well settled.
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.