Human triggered avalanches remain likely due to a prominent weak layer that was recently buried. Continue to choose conservative terrain, this problem will probably stick around for a while.
30-60 cm of recent fresh snow sits on a weak layer that consists of a crust, with facets and/or surface hoar on top of it. Continued moderate southeast winds are expected to form reactive slabs. This weak layer may continue to produce avalanches for longer than what is typical after a storm on the South Coast.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with a few flurries, up to 5 cm / moderate southeast wind / alpine low temperature near -3
THURSDAY - Mainly cloudy with a few flurries, up to 5 cm / moderate southeast wind / alpine high temperature near -2
FRIDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / light southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -1
SATURDAY - Snow, 10 cm / strong south wind / alpine high temperature near -2
Human triggered avalanches are expected to be likely in many areas.
North Shore Rescue responded to a serious, but non-fatal avalanche incident on Tuesday evening in the backcountry near Cypress Mountain Resort. One person was involved and was partially buried. The avalanche was a size 2 storm slab on a west aspect at approximately 1100 m.
There were a few size 1 storm slab avalanches reported in the Hollyburn area on Tuesday. These were both natural and human triggered. Though small in size, this is likely due to the size of the terrain features. They are a good reminder of the potential for avalanches on the recently buried weak layer. A recent MIN report about one of these avalanches can be viewed here.
Numerous human and explosives triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported on Monday, including a few that were triggered remotely (from a distance). There were also reports of numerous size 1 dry loose avalanches.
30-60 cm of recent fresh snow sits on a crust that also has weak facets and surface hoar on top of it in many areas. This weak layer will probably take more time to gain strength than what is considered typical for the South Coast region. Flurries and moderate wind on Thursday may continue to form fresh and reactive storm slabs.
Click here to watch North Shore Rescue's January 22 snowpack discussion, which includes a great explanation of how the recently buried weak layer was formed.
