South Coast Inland

Incoming snow, wind, and warming are expected to create touchy slab conditions.

Low - Freezing levels are uncertain

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Snow, 10-25 cm accumulation with higher amounts in the north. Moderate to strong south-southwest wind. Freezing level 1200 m.THURSDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, 5-10 cm snow. Strong south-southwest wind. Freezing level rising above 1400 m.FRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Light south wind gusting to strong. Freezing level above 1400 m near the Coquihalla and rising above 2000 m near the Duffy, chance of inversion.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate south wind. Freezing level above 2200 m. More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

On Wednesday, in the neighboring Sea to Sky region, explosives and skiers triggered storm slab avalanches to size 2. Skiers triggered small wind slabs near ridge crest on Monday, but generally little avalanche activity has been reported over the last couple of days.

Approximately 20-40 cm new snow adds to the previous 100+ cm of settled storm snow. Recent strong winds have redistributed recent snow built wind slabs and cornices on a variety of slopes. New snow, wind and warming are expected to build new storm slabs on top of these.Around the Coquihalla, the top 30 cm recent snow sits on a thick 10-15 cm crust up to 1550 m. This crust is not found in the north of the region.Professionals continue to monitor two weak layers the upper 100-150 cm of the snowpack. These layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a sun crust on steep south facing slopes. The surface hoar is reported to be most prominent in the southern part of the region in areas like the Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park, on north and east aspects at treeline.In the lower snowpack, a crust/facet (sugar snow) layer may still be reactive to heavy loads such as a cornice fall in isolated areas.