Tomorrow's storm will be most intense in more coastal areas. Danger ratings will be one step lower than forecast in areas that receive less than 20 cm of new snow overnight.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
Snowfall will continue overnight in the south of the region petering out by Thursday morning. Garibaldi could receive as much as 30cm although forecast amounts taper off sharply to the north with less than 5cm expected for Pemberton. Friday and Saturday look to be mainly dry. An artic front just inland stretches almost all the way down the coast and will keep freezing levels below 500m. Winds will be light and variable Thursday before building to moderate south-westerlies by Saturday as a powerful storm is forecast to slide down the BC coast.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity appears to have tapered off since the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Between 40 and 70 cm of new snow fell in the weekend's storms. The new snow is now settling and gaining strength and may be forming variable soft slabs. Wind slabs can be found in immediate lee features on north to northeast aspects at tree-line and in the alpine. The December 8th crust is down about 120 cm and is reported to be well bonded to the snow above it.
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.