Northwest Coastal

Watch for signs of instability. New rider triggerable wind slabs will likely form throughout the day and may overlie facets making them more reactive.

Up to 25 cm of recent snow accompanied by southerly winds has formed wind slab in exposed terrain at treeline and above. At lower elevations, where  some of this precipitation may have fallen as rain, moist snow or a crust will be present.

A layer of surface hoar may be found about 30 to 40 cm deep in treeline and open below treeline areas sheltered from the wind. A hard crust and associated facetted grains from December is about 60 cm deep at treeline elevations.

The rest of the snowpack is strong and well-settled.

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy with 2 cm of new snow expected, south alpine wind 15 to 35 km/h, freezing level around 900 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow expected, south alpine wind 20 to 35 km/h, freezing level around 1000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 15 to 40 km/h, freezing level around 1000 m.

Friday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 25 to 40 km/h, freezing level around 900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
• Approach steep open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, buried surface hoar may exist.