Northwest Coastal

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

On Friday, a size 1 natural wind slab was observed in north facing alpine terrain south of Ningunsaw Provincial Park. In the same area, explosive control produced a few size 1 to 2 wind slabs from north to west facing alpine terrain.

Looking forward to Saturday, wind slabs in alpine terrain will continue to be the main concern.

As much as 40 cm of recent snow now sits on top of a crust, that varies in thickness and strength. Surfaces in the alpine have been heavily affected by recent winds. The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated with no current layers of concern.

Observations are limited, but a weak layer of facets overlying a crust at the base of the snowpack has been reported. This layer only seems to be of concern in upper alpine terrain in areas with smooth ground cover, such as rock slabs and glacial ice.

Snowpack depths vary from 50 to 150 cm at the treeline. The deepest snowpack is found in the more western/coastal regions.

Friday night

Cloudy with snow, trace to 5 cm accumulation, southeast alpine wind 20 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -9 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with snow, trace accumulation, southwest alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with snow, 5 to 10 cm accumulation, south alpine wind 25 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with precipitation, 5 to 15 cm of new snow above 500 m, south alpine wind 30 to 70 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
• Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.