Regions
South Coast Inland.
Wind slabs have developed on a variety of aspects due to shifting winds. Natural avalanche activity has tapered off but human triggered avalanches remain possible.
Confidence
High - The weather pattern is stable on Thursday
Weather Forecast
Increasing cloud cover and light snowfall amounts are forecast with the incoming weather system. The weekend will remain cold.THURSDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures near -5 with light ridgetop winds from the southwest.FRIDAY: Cloudy with snow amounts 5-10 cm. Alpine temperatures near -10 and ridgetop winds moderate from the northeast. SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -16 and ridgetop winds moderate from the northeast.
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, no new avalanches were reported.
Snowpack Summary
Alpine terrain is heavily wind affected to varying degrees on all aspects. 15-30 cm of snow from last weekend was initially redistributed by southwesterly winds shifting to northeasterly forming stiff wind slabs on most 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.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.