Assess conditions as you travel - snow may hide reactive pockets or, more likely, early-season hazards.
While the weekend snowfall favoured the Coquihalla Summit and south, westerly winds have impacted the South Coast Inland equally. Be mindful that winds have shifted more northerly, this could change where wind slabs lurk. Fresh slabs may form through Tuesday as wind increases ahead of the next weather system.
No new avalanches have been observed or reported in the region. Observations are limited at this time of year, if you head into the backcountry consider submitting a MIN report.
Weekend snowfall accumulation ranged from 10-15 cm near the Duffy and upwards of 35 cm around the Coquihalla and south. This snow mostly covered a crust (or bare rock) at upper elevations and moist snow and dirt at treeline and below.
Below the crust is 40-80 cm of early November snow, which began covering surface roughness at upper elevations. The strength of this basal interface will become more evident with more field observations.
Terrain features poke through a building snowpack that grows from 40-60 cm around 1300-1400 m and upwards of 120 cm in the alpinee. Most solar slopes and below treeline are below the threshold for avalanches.
Monday night
Clear and cold with increasing clouds. Light northeast wind, treeline low temperatures -20 C.
Tuesday
Cold. Flurries start in the afternoon, with substantial accumulations beginning overnight. Increasing south wind, treeline high temperature -12 C.
WednesdayWinter storm beginning late Tuesday with precipitation likely falling as snow at most elevations. 10-15 mm by morning and another 10-15 mm through the day, South wind gusting above 60 k/h. Treeline high -10 C, freezing level staying below valley bottom.
ThursdayCold and clearing. Light northeast wind, treeling high temperature -16 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
