SOUTH COAST REGION WEATHER: Very mild weather predominated the coastal areas this week, with record high temperatures observed on Vancouver Island Wednesday. Winds remained moderate in the alpine. A ridge of high pressure was well established over the region by Thursday, causing winds to drop and temperatures to remain mild. A vigorous low pressure system brewing in the Gulf of Alaska is predicted to come onshore Friday night, raising the freezing level even further to above 1500 metres. Expect rain at lower elevations and snow in the Alpine for the weekend. SNOWPACK: A soft slab has developed on the surface due to the moderate winds and warm temperatures. Below this slab, a softer layer remains from earlier in the week, creating the classic strong over weak layer hazard. Lower in the snowpack, the November crust/facet interface is improving slightly, but with the additional loading occurring, avalanche professionals have not ruled it out as a problem. Some glide cracks have been observed now in the alpine. AVALANCHES: Storm snow releases to size 2 are common in the Whistler area, running both naturally and with human triggers. Further inland, the Coquihalla area is seeing natural activity to size 3.5 in the Alpine, running wet out of predominantly south facing slopes. With the moisture and extremely mild temperatures predicted for the weekend, more activity is likely on the way throughout the region. DANGER: ABOVE TREELINE - Considerable BELOW TREELINE - Considerable TRAVEL ADVISORY: Watch out the breakdown in the weather doesn't trap you out in the alpine early in the weekend. The glide activity observed this week may indicate a problem which will only be made worse by the unseasonably warm temperatures and high elevation rain predicted in the weather forecast. NORTH COLUMBIA REGION WEATHER: Temperatures stayed warm in the North Columbias, with moderate winds and daily additions to the alpine snowpack. Clouds and snow kept most observers out of the alpine on Wednesday, but those who did make it out report storm snow accumulations of close to half a metre. A low pressure coming onshore out of the Gulf of Alaska Friday is predicted to cause heavy snowfall throughout the majority of the weekend, with the freezing level remaining around 1400m. SNOWPACK: Virtually all observers report a significant weakness down around 15cm in the storm snow, with other shears observed down 40cm as well. Moderate winds above treeline have contributed to a soft slab, with less dense snow below. The November rain crust now down around 140cm is still showing moderate shears at the interface just above. AVALANCHES: Widespread activity is being reported in the storm snow below treeline, to size 2. Alpine observations are limited, but natural activity is expected there as well. Explosive testing north of Revelstoke during a break in the weather Wednesday produced consistent results to size 3.5, running on the November rain crust. DANGER: ABOVE TREELINE - High BELOW TREELINE - Considerable TRAVEL ADVISORY: If the Gulf of Alaska low produces the heavy moisture predicted, storm snow activity is virtually assured. Activity on the November crust is a distinct possibility. SOUTH COLUMBIA REGION WEATHER: Distinctly mild temperatures predominated the week, followed by very heavy but short-lived snowfall on Thursday. Winds were significant enough to produce a soft windslab in the Alpine. The weather forecast calls for continued mild temperatures and more heavy snow, which may turn to rain below 1400m by Saturday. SNOWPACK: Storm snow in excess of 40cm was reported in the south, with lesser but significant amounts further north. Most observers found easy shears in the upper 25cm. Easy shears were reported down as far as 80cm, indicating instabilities that existed before this new snow have been loaded to near threshold as well. AVALANCHES: Observers report widespread naturals to size 2 out of steeper terrain, failing in the storm snow. Explosive testing in the Alpine produces consistent results and wide propagations, running fast in high-speed powder avalanches. Kootenay Pass saw some paths running repeatedly at 6 hour intervals during the intense snowfall period Thursday. DANGER: ABOVE TREELINE - High BELOW TREELINE - Considerable TRAVEL ADVISORY: Although conditions will ultimately depend upon what the low pressure out in the Pacific produces for weather, if the intense snow does materialize Saturday, this should be the first widespread natural cycle in the region. The strength in the upper snowpack below treeline may act as an excellent bedding surface for higher elevation releases, causing them to run further than expected. ROCKIES REGION WEATHER: Temperatures of around -10 and moderate west winds were the rule throughout the Rockies this week. Continued snowfall accumulated around 30cm of storm snow in the Mountain Parks area by Thursday, and closer to 45cm near Fernie. A Pacific low will raise daytime temperatures to above zero in the southern Rockies, but hit only - 4 further North. Winds will remain brisk enough to continue the wind loading throughout the weekend. SNOWPACK: New snow and wind combined to build a soft windslab in the alpine, which was failing at he storm snow interface by Thursday. The November crust/facet interface is being stressed to dangerous levels by the rapid loading. AVALANCHES: Naturals to sz 2.5 are reported from Jasper to Fernie. Ski cutting and explosive testing were also consistently producing results from North to South. More snow and wind is on the way, so this activity is expected to continue, with the distinct possibility of stepping down to the November crust by Saturday. DANGER: ABOVE TREELINE - High BELOW TREELINE - Considerable TRAVEL ADVISORY: Watch the weather closely the next few days. A very conservative attitude this weekend is an excellent game plan. Even as snowfall eases by Sunday, continued wind loading will perpetuate the danger. Triggering instabilities in shallow snow at the edge of wind loaded features and propagating into the deeper snow should remain a concern. Resort skiing should be fabulous, with new powder and warm temperatures.