Regions
Northwest Coastal.
Significant variability exists in the top 100cm of the snowpack. Dig down and test for weak layers before committing to any steep or exposed lines.
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
Expect a mix of sun and cloud and moderate northwesterly winds on Monday. On Monday afternoon and Tuesday, a Pacific front will bring up to 15cm of snow and strong westerly winds. Generally clear skies and moderate northeasterly winds are forecast for Wednesday. Freezing levels may rise to 500m with the passage of the front. Otherwise, they should remain around valley bottom for the forecast period. For a more detailed weather overview, check-out our Mountain Weather Forecast at: avalanche.ca/weather
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported.
Snowpack Summary
Up to a meter of settled snow may be sitting upon a weak layer of buried surface hoar. In some areas, this layer may be primed for human triggering and wide propagations while in other areas it is non-existent or has gained significant strength. Due to the variable nature of this weak layer, I'd dig down to test for it before committing to any steep lines. I'd also be increasingly cautious on sheltered slopes at or below treeline.Strong north through easterly winds have been responsible for a recent reverse-loading pattern, and wind slabs may still be sensitive to human triggering on lee features.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.
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.