Northwest Coastal

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Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable

Expect a mix of sun and cloud for the forecast period with a chance of very light flurries on Wednesday and Thursday. Ridgetop winds are expected to be moderate to strong from the southeast on Tuesday and Wednesday, becoming light by Thursday. Freezing levels are expected to remain at valley bottom for the forecast period.

On Sunday, a few avalanches were reported from the north of the region: A skier accidentally triggered a size 1.5 wind slab avalanche which failed on the December 26 surface hoar layer at about 1450m on an east aspect. A few other size 1.5 explosive-triggered wind slabs were also observed in north-facing alpine terrain.

Snowpack surfaces are highly variable. Temperature inversions and solar radiation have recently come into play and a melt-freeze crust can be found on steep, solar aspects in the alpine. On most other slopes, 25-40 cm of snow from the Boxing Day storm continues to settle and facet, and new surface hoar has been reported although its distribution is likely variable due to strong outflow winds. In areas where recent winds have been light, shaded slopes will likely provide settled powder. In areas where winds have been stronger, reactive wind slabs may exist, especially in areas where the the slab overlies surface hoar buried by the Boxing Day storm.Professionals in the region are still keeping an eye on a few other surface hoar layers that developed throughout December which are now buried in the top 100cm. Although these layers may be gaining strength, they are worth keeping an eye on, especially on steep unsupported slopes at treeline and below. In colder and shallower snowpack areas watch for weak basal facets.