South Coast

Avalanche danger is falling but check out the reactivity of the new storm snow on smaller features before committing to bigger lines.

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Thursday

Spring like temperature swings will push the freezing level up to 1500m daily. TUESDAY: partly cloudy with isolate flurries, light west winds. WEDNESDAY: partly cloudy with isolate flurries, light west winds. THRUSDAY: sunny, light to moderate easterly winds.  

Natural and artificially triggered avalanche activity up to size 2.5 was reported from across the region over the weekend.  Cornices remain large and fragile. They have been failing naturally and would likely collapse under the weight of a person.  In the north of the region, a cornice collapse triggered a deep persistent weakness that caused a size 3.5 avalanche on Sunday.

New snow and sustained moderate to strong winds have formed fresh storm slabs and loaded lee features.  The upper snowpack sits above a crust that was reported on all aspects and elevations before the weekend.  Isolated pockets of surface hoar were also reported in high north facing terrain that stayed cool prior to the storm.   The mid-pack is generally well settled.  A layer of surface hoar buried in early January can now be found down 1-2 m. In most places it is thought to be capped by a thick widespread crust.