The current stable weather pattern will give way to another pacific frontal system impacting the South Coast region on Wednesday.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / Light southwest wind / Alpine temperature -2 C WEDNESDAY: Snow or rain, accumulation 10-15cm / Light to moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -2 C / Freezing level 800 mTHURSDAY: Snow or rain, accumulation 20-30 cm / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature 0 C / Freezing level 1600 m
Avalanche Summary
There have been no new avalanches reported in the past few days.
Snowpack Summary
The latest storm on the weekend was quite warm where it rained to the 1500 m elevation and perhaps above. The temperature has since dropped below zero, so expect to see a crust near or on the surface. At the highest elevations, an additional 40-60 cm of recent snow may not be bonding well to underlying surfaces. This is particularly the case in the north of the region near Squamish, where the snow may be sitting on a weak layer of feathery surface hoar. The middle and lower snowpack are well-settled. Snow depths increase substantially with higher elevations. Expect to find about 200 cm at treeline elevations.
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.