We are back in winter for a day, at least in the alpine. Wind slabs at upper elevations are the primary concern.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: 10-20 cm overnight, moderate to strong Southerly winds, freezing level at 1200 m.TUESDAY: Cloudy with light snow fall, accumulation up to 10 cm, moderate to strong southwest winds, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level at 1300 m.WEDNESDAY: Clear, moderate east winds, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level at 1700 m.THURSDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, light east winds, alpine temperatures of -4 C, freezing level at 1900 m.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanche activity was reported on Sunday.In the far north of the region on Friday and Saturday loose wet avalanche activity to size 2 was reported on solar aspects. Sporadic natural slab avalanches were also reported in the alpine and treeline, but no activity was reported from north aspects. Very little activity was reported from areas closer to Whistler.
Snowpack Summary
The new snow might form wind slabs in the alpine and is overlying a variety of snow layers. On higher north aspects above 2000 m you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds which may have formed isolated old wind slabs. There are still a handful of melt/freeze crusts, surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack, but all of these layers appear to have gone dormant for the time being. The snowpack at mid and upper elevations is expected to continue to gain strength as we enter a period of consecutive nights with below freezing temperatures.
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.