Northwest Coastal

Reactive wind slabs may persist at higher elevations where dry snow remains, while loose wet avalanches are possible on steep slopes during warming or sun exposure.

Several small avalanches (size 1 to 1.5) were reported on Thursday. In general, loose wet avalanches were reported on steep, sun-exposed slopes, while a mix of loose dry, wind slab, and storm slab avalanches occurred at higher elevations on shaded slopes where dry snow persists.

Moderate

• We are uncertain due to a highly variable snowpack.

In alpine terrain, up to 40 cm of recent snow continues to settle and bond atop crusty surfaces in all but high-alpine north-facing slopes, where a crust below the recent snow is unlikely. Deeper deposits of wind-loaded snow can be found in leeward terrain from recent southwesterly winds.

In most areas at treeline and below, the upper snowpack is moist, and possibly even isothermal at low elevations.

Check out this Conditions Update video for tips on managing the current spring conditions.

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 mm of rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 3 mm of rain at treeline. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.