Be aware of your local conditions. If more than 20cm of new snow falls where you are traveling, the DANGER rating could be too low.
Confidence
Fair - Timing of incoming weather is uncertain on Tuesday
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: Expect flurries to build through the day, with more intensity in the Coquihalla area and lower accumulations on the Duffey. 15-20cm are possible through the day. Expect moderate to strong southwest winds and alpine temperatures reaching -6.Wednesday: The storm continues with another 10cm possible. Strong southerly winds persist with temperatures reaching -8.Thursday: Snowfall should taper through the day, with winds turning more northerly and abating somewhat. Alpine temperatures should reach -6.
Avalanche Summary
Isolated loose wet sluffs have been reported. The Coquihalla area has seen some glide slabs release on slopes with granite slabs as the ground cover. Avalanche activity will increase as we move into the next storm.
Snowpack Summary
Old wind slabs can be found behind ridges, ribs and on lee slopes (NW-NE). Sun crusts have formed on South and West facing slopes. The upper snowpack is showing continued settlement and gaining strength. Down 20-50 cm sits a persistent interface comprising of crusts, facets and surface hoar crystals. Recently, this layer has been reactive only in sheltered areas at treeline and below where the surface hoar lingers. The mid pack is generally well settled. The average snowpack depth at treeline is 180 cm.As the storm arrives and intensifies, expect new windslabs on lee features.
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.
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.