Heavy snowfall has created dangerous avalanche conditions in the South Coast mountains.
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY: Sunny, light northwest winds, treeline temperatures at -8.WEDNESDAY: Sunny, light north winds, treeline temperatures at -10.THURSDAY: Flurries with 10-20 cm accumulations, 40-60 km/h southwest winds, treeline temperature at -5.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches have been reported in this region recently, but Monday's heavy snowfall will create large and touchy storm slabs.
Snowpack Summary
As of Monday afternoon, 30-45 cm of new snow has fallen in the South Coast mountains and is expected to continue into Monday evening. The new snow will form touchy storm slabs on Tuesday, especially at higher elevations and on wind loaded features. 30-50 cm of snow from last weekend's storm is rapidly settling, although a MIN report from Sunday suggests there were some instabilities in the old storm snow. Total snowpack depths are around 170 cm at treeline and over 2 metres at higher elevations, with the mid-pack rapidly gaining strength. Thanks to the riders in the Sky Pilot area for their recent MIN reports!
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.