South Coast

Variable new snow amounts mean variable avalanche danger. Expect instability in the recent snow, whether it's 5 cm or 15.

Moderate -

Saturday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Scattered flurries beginning in the afternoon bringing about 5 cm of new snow. Winds light to moderate from the west. Freezing level to 500 metres with alpine temperatures of -4. Sunday: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries and a trace of new snow. Winds light from the northeast. Freezing level to 900 metres with alpine temperatures around -1. Monday: A mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Winds winds light from the northwest. Freezing level to 400 metres with alpine temperatures of -3.

While touchy conditions were expected at the new snow interface on Friday, no avalanche activity has yet been reported.

Up to 15 cm of new snow fell over the South Coast region over Thursday night, with average new snow amounts closer to 5 cm. In some areas, the new snow overlies up to 3cm of recent graupel accumulation. Below the new snow and graupel, the previous snow surface is a mix of sun crust on solar aspects and surface hoar on shaded aspects. The new snow's bond to these surfaces will take some time to form. Older storm snow can be found below the new snow interface and it is reportedly well bonded to the widespread mid-February rain crust, now found down around 40-60 cm at higher elevations. The crust itself is supportive and roughly 20cm thick. Below the crust, the snowpack is still moist as a result of heavy rain from last week.