South Coast Inland

Conditions vary with elevation, aspect, and wind exposure.

Small reactive wind slabs will develop at upper elevations as snow accumulates.

Moderate

• Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.
• The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

No new avalanches were reported.

Wednesday, numerous natural, wet loose avalanches (up to size 1) were observed. These avalanches occurred in steep, rocky south-facing slopes.

If you are heading into the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.

Light amounts of new snow are expected for Friday night and Saturday. This new snow will overlie a variety of surfaces, including a crust on south-facing aspects, wind-affected snow on north-facing terrain, and surface hoar on sheltered features.

The mid-December crust is 90 to 150 cm deep, except on wind-scoured alpine features, where it could be on the surface. This crust is well-bonded to the snow above. Above 2200 m, this crust is absent, and a layer of facets and a crust from November is found at the base of the snowpack. These layers are not currently a concern.

Friday Night

Cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Saturday

Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow or rain at treeline. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Sunday

Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Monday

Cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.