Regions
Northwest Coastal.
Avalanche danger ratings are for the Terrace area based on 10-15cm of new snow by Saturday morning. New snow accumulations have been much higher in North of the region where the Avalanche Danger is rated as HIGH.
Confidence
Poor - Track of incoming weather is uncertain on Friday
Weather Forecast
Saturday: Moderate snowfall Friday night (heavy snowfall in the north), easing on Saturday / Extreme southwest winds on Friday night easing to moderate and northwesterly on Saturday / Freezing level at 300mSunday: Light snowfall / Moderate west winds / Freezing level at 300mMonday: Light snowfall / Light southeast winds / Freezing level at 300m
Avalanche Summary
Although observations were limited on Friday, significant avalanche activity is expected in response to the current weather pattern, particularly in the north of the region where snowfall amounts have been the highest.
Snowpack Summary
As of Friday, variable amounts of new snow (~5-15cm in the south/ ~50cm in the north) were shifted into stiff and significantly deeper wind slabs at higher elevations while rain penetrated snow surfaces at lower elevations. The new snow overlies heavy accumulations from earlier in the week that have most likely gained considerable strength. I would imagine that with the ongoing weather pattern, significant cornice development has also taken place.The mid and lower snowpack layers are generally 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.