A variable rain crust is helping to keep wind slabs in check at lower elevations, but they may remain touchy in the alpine - especially if the sun hits them.
Confidence
Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable
Weather Forecast
We're beginning a warming trend with no snow and some sunshine through the weekend. On Monday the floodgates open... stay tuned for more details. SATURDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and no new snow. Winds light to moderate from the southwest. Freezing level rising to 1700m and alpine high temperatures to +3 Celcius! SUNDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and no new snow. Winds light westerly. Alpine temperatures near 0 ; freezing level 1100m, rising sharply at the end of the day. MONDAY: Mix of snow and rain, starting near noon. Winds light gusting to moderate from the southwest. Freezing level 2200m and alpine temperatures to +1 Celcius.
Avalanche Summary
No new observed.
Snowpack Summary
The mountains of the South Coast region received 15-20cm of snow over Sunday and Monday. The southwest flow of the storm, followed by strong northeast winds on Tuesday resulted in pockets of wind slab being formed on all exposed aspects at higher elevations. A thick crust can be found 5-10cm below the surface at treeline and below, and has limited the wind redistribution at lower elevations. The new wind slabs have already gained considerable strength but could remain reactive on steeper unsupported terrain at higher elevations where this crust does not exist. The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and stable.
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.