Weather Forecast
Saturday: Expect snowfalls to taper under northwesterly winds. As winds shift to northeasterly late in the day we could see some convective flurries. Temperatures could reach -9. Sunday & Monday: Expect a clearing trend, with light northerly winds and temperatures reaching -8 in the afternoon.
Avalanche Summary
Several size 2 natural and skier triggered avalanches occurred in wind loaded features in the last 24 hrs. Wind slabs continue to build on Northerly aspects and in places they sit on weak facetted surfaces and/or lower density snow. With new snow and strong winds I suspect wind slabs will continue to form, and storm snow instabilities to linger.A Special Avalanche Warning has been issued for the South Coast Inland, and Interior regions. Keep yourself informed by reading the daily updated Avalanche Bulletins, the Special Warnings, and knowing the conditions in your "local" mountains.
Snowpack Summary
An intense storm will likely bring up to 30cm of new snow by Saturday morning accompanied by moderate to strong southerly winds. Expect new deep windslabs on North through East facing terrain at treeline and in the alpine. These new slabs sit on a variety of old, wind modified surfaces. At lower elevations there are crusts in the midpack and protected areas harbour isolated patches of surface hoar. Below this, the lower snowpack is well bonded and strong.
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.
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.