Tomorrow's storm will be significantly more intense around the Coquihalla. Avalanche's may be less likely in the north of the region were less snow is forecast to fall.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
A low over Washington will bring snow, mainly to the southern half of the region on Wednesday. South of the Coquihalla summit could receive as much as 30cm through Wednesday and overnight into Thursday although forecast amounts taper off sharply to the north with only around 10cm expected for Duffy. The snowfall should slow on Thursday while Friday looks to be dry. An Artic front just inland stretches almost all the way down the coast and will keep freezing levels close to valley bottom. Winds will be light and variable Tuesday and Wednesday before becoming moderate westerlies by Friday.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity appears to have tapered off since the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Between 30 and 50 cm of new snow fell in the storm over the weekend, although this is probably closer to 15cm in the north of the region. This snow is now settling rapidly into a soft slab. Variable winds have stripped snow from exposed south facing terrain and formed fresh winds slabs at treeline and above. The new snow may be sitting on a sun-crust on steep solar aspects in the Coquihalla. At lower elevations you may be able to find a layer of surface hoar layer that was reported to be buried on December 17th.
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.