Avalanche activity associated with the warming over the weekend has been minimal. On Friday and Saturday, small loose wet avalanches were observed out of steep south and east facing terrain and explosive control work produced cornices up to size 2.5. On Friday, natural and skier triggered wind slabs size 1.5-2 were reported.

Last week, some very large natural avalanches took out mature timber and left mountainous piles of debris down to very low elevations. Check out the insane photos of the size 4 in this MIN from January 15th. We were anticipating the possibility of avalanches of this scale during current warm weather but as of writing, this activity has not materialized. Parts of the region are currently under a Special Public Avalanche Warning (SPAW). Check out this new blog post for additional information.

At mid elevations, moist surfaces or a thin crust can be found on solar aspects, while most aspects at upper elevations remain dry. Wind slabs linger in exposed high elevation terrain, mainly on north and east aspects. 

The widespread and robust January 16 melt-freeze crust sits up to 30 cm deep, as high as 2100 m. There have been some observations of surface hoar sitting on the crust on polar aspects at treeline and in the alpine north of Pemberton but this does not appear to be widespread. At lower elevations, the previously rain soaked upper snowpack is moist or wet and may be capped with a breakable crust.

The depth of the early December crust/facet layer is highly variable through the region but appears to be typically down 100-200 cm. Some operators are showing the depth as low as 60 cm in shallow snowpack areas and as deep as 3 m in wind loaded terrain. The weak layer is most prominent between 1700 and 2100 m. The layer continues to be a concern through the current period of major warming and sun. The most likely place to trigger it would be in thin, rocky snowpack areas where it is shallowest.

The region now sits under a warm ridge of high pressure which is expected to persist through the week bringing very high freezing levels and sun. 

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, light NW wind, freezing levels around 2500 m with an inversion.

Monday: Sunny, light NW wind, freezing levels around 2000 m with an inversion.

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud, light W wind, freezing levels around 2300 m with an inversion. 

Wednesday: Sunny, light NW wind, freezing levels around 2600 m with an inversion. 

Avalanche activity associated with the warming over the weekend has been minimal. But with sustained warm temperatures and sun forecast through the week, we remain wary. Parts of the region are currently under a Special Public Avalanche Warning (SPAW). Check out this new blog post for additional information.

On Saturday a size 3 glide slab was observed at 2200 m in the north of the region. On Wednesday, a size 1.5 glide slab was observed at 1400 m in the Coquihalla area. Glide slabs are difficult to forecast but they are often a product of sustained warm weather, as melting snow lubricates between the ground and the snowpack.

Over the weekend, evidence of natural wind slabs size 1.5-2.5 were observed in the south of the region, suspected to have run at the end of last week.

At upper elevations, moist surfaces or a thin crust can be found on solar aspects, while soft dry snow may still be found on shady aspects in wind-sheltered areas. Wind slabs linger in exposed high elevation terrain, mainly on north and east aspects. Below 2100m, the widespread January 16 melt-freeze crust sits below 15-30 cm of recent snow. In the south of the region, this crust is one of many in the upper snowpack. There have also been reports of a layer of small surface hoar above the Jan 16 crust in the north of the region on polar aspects at treeline and in the alpine but this does not seem to be widespread. At lower elevations, the upper snowpack is moist or wet and may be capped with a breakable crust.

The early December crust/facet layer is now typically down 100-150 cm but may be as shallow as 60 cm and as deep as 200 cm with lots of variability through the region. The layer is most prominent between 1700 and 2100 m. The crust appears to be breaking down in the south of the region but remains a concern in the north. The layer continues to be a concern through the current period of major warming and sun. The most likely place to trigger it would be in thin, rocky snowpack areas where it is shallowest.

The region now sits under a warm ridge of high pressure which is expected to persist through the week bringing very high freezing levels and sun. 

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, light NW wind, freezing levels around 2400 m with an inversion.

Monday: Sunny, light NW wind, freezing levels dropping to 1200 m. 

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud, moderate NW wind, freezing levels around 2500 m with an inversion. 

Wednesday: Sunny, light NW wind, freezing levels around 2500 m with an inversion.

No new avalanche activity has been reported over the last few days. On Thursday, glide cracks were reported to be growing in size, likely from the persistent warm temperatures and rain event. 

If you head out into the mountains, please share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Below 1300 m, travel may be difficult due to punchy, isothermic snow. Above this elevation, the warm temperatures are slowly starting to melt a thick crust that reaches to mountain top. Below the crust, the snow is moist down 50-100 cm where several old crust are now breaking down. At the highest elevations around Squamish, you may find up to 15 cm of new snow from the recent storm. 

Around 150 to 200 cm deep, weak faceted grains may sit above a melt freeze crust that formed during the cold spell in late December. Reports suggest that the snowpack has been bonding well to these layers. The middle and base of the snowpack are strong, consisting of well-bonded snow and various hard melt-freeze crusts.

The region now sits under a warm ridge of high pressure which is expected to persist through the week bringing very high freezing levels and sun. 

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, moderate NW wind, freezing level rising 2500 to 3000 m.

Monday: Sunny, moderate NW wind, freezing levels around 2700 m.

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud, light NW wind, freezing levels around 2700 m.

Wednesday: Sunny, light NW wind, freezing levels around 2700 m.