South Coast Inland

The storm is expected to taper off Monday night, resulting in variable snowpack conditions.
Expect rapid changes as you travel through different elevations.

A large natural avalanche (size 2.5) was observed on Saturday on Steep Peak. It ran naturally from a couloir above Darkside Lake.

If you're heading out into the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the MIN.

At elevations of 1800 m and below, the snow surface is likely moist or even wet due to rain and elevated freezing levels from Monday. On alpine terrain, recent storm snow has formed wind slabs on leeward features and scouring windward slopes.

Several layers, including surface hoar, facets, and a thin crust, can be found 20 to 40 cm below the surface. A firm crust, formed in early November, can be found buried 40 to 90 cm at alpine and treeline elevations. Weak facets have been spotted above and below the crust.

Snowpack height averages around 100 cm at treeline and decreases rapidly below about 1500 m.

Monday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Thursday
Partially cloudy. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.