Avalanche danger will increase in the afternoon as new snow and strong winds form fresh and reactive wind slabs at upper elevations.
New wind slabs sit over a variety of wind-affected surfaces including stiff wind slabs covering a thin temperature crust on southerly slopes and previously wind scoured surfaces on north aspects.
Wind slabs may step down to the mid January melt freeze crust, creating larger avalanches than expected.
No significant avalanches were reported in the past couple days.
Last week, a skier accidental wind slab avalanche was reported on a south-facing slope at 1800 m. This avalanche was 70 cm deep and is suspected to have slid on the Jan melt-freeze crust. Check out the MIN for a detailed report.
Please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network.
10-20 cm of new and recent snow can be found evenly distributed in sheltered areas treeline and below. At upper elevations, southwest winds have redistributed recent snow into fresh wind slabs over previously scoured surfaces on north aspects . On south aspects, recent snow overlies stiff wind slabs. A breakable crust may exist near the surface on steep solar aspects and at low elevations.
A melt-freeze crust formed in mid January is now buried 30-40 cm deep. Weak, faceted crystals have been observed growing above it meaning it may pose a problem going forward. On the bright side, it is one of several crusts bridging other weak layers in the mid to lower snowpack, meaning that triggering deeper avalanches on them is unlikely.
Snowpack depths are significantly below seasonal averages for this time of year, 150 to 200 cm at treeline, tapering rapidly below 1500 m.
Sunday night
Up to 5 cm new snow. Moderate southwest wind increasing into morning. Freezing level 1200 m.
Monday
5-10 cm new snow. Strong southwest winds. Freezing level 1500 m.
Tuesday
5-10 cm new snow in most areas, 20-25 cm for the Coquihalla. Freezing levels around 1500 m. Strong to extreme southwest winds.
Wednesday
5-10 cm of new snow overnight then clearing to a mix of sun and cloud. Light southwest wind. Freezing level around 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
