Continued snow combined with Strong Southwest winds overnight are expected to cause widespread avalanche activity.
Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Wednesday
Weather Forecast
Overnight and Tuesday: The Low pressure system is forecast to move out of the region this evening. However, the system arrived later than expected and appears to be slower moving than forecast. Expect another 5-10 mm of precipitation that may be as much as another 20 cms of snow at higher elevations. Strong Southwesterly winds should slow down to moderate Westerly as the Low exits to the East. Flurries are expected to continue during the day on Tuesday without much accumulation.Wednesday: A weak upper ridge should move into the Southern Interior by Tuesday evening and continue to provide dry conditions on Wednesday. Light Westerly winds should become strong Southwesterly as the next system moves in from the Coast during the evening or overnight.Thursday: Strong Southwest winds and heavy precipitation are forecast. Timing is uncertain.
Avalanche Summary
No new reports due to poor visibility and travel conditions. Expect widespread soft slab releases on all aspects and elevations.
Snowpack Summary
The light new storm snow over the past few days arrived with very light winds. Strong Southwest winds started to transport that new snow into wind slabs on Monday afternoon. Storm slabs are expected to be found at all elevations, and should be very easy to trigger.
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.