Northwest Coastal

Wind effect in the alpine and a treeline are of prime concern with this storm, use caution when riding/traveling in the backcountry. If you have field observations to share here we'd love to hear from you.

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

SUNDAY: Will ramp up precipitation with another 8 to 10 cm of snow at upper elevations. Freezing levels 500m overnight to 800m with daytime heating. MONDAY: Another 5 to 10 cm of snow. Precipitation will be heavier towards the coast, but the inland portion of the Northwest Coast may see as much as 45 cm of snow at upper elevations through the forecast period.TUESDAY: A brief break in the weather, cloudy with sunny periods, some flurries with freezing levels from 500 to 800m. Winds moderate to strong from the south west for the forecast period.

Commercial operators are reporting strong winds in the alpine stripping the new snow down to old crust surfaces and building wind slabs and sastrugi. One operator has reported numerous size 2 and 2.5 avalanches with explosives control.

New snow is being redistributed by strong south west winds into wind slabs on lee slopes. Reports of activity on the March 25th surface hoar / crust layer have diminished, but is still worth remembering. This interface was more reactive recently in the northern part of the region, but had been reported throughout the northwest coastal area and may reappear as a problem given the right conditions. For the most part, the chief concern is wind slabs over a variety of recent surfaces, crusts, facets and surface hoar that formed in in sheltered places during the last spell of clear cold weather. Large ripe cornices are also of concern with additional loading, especially when the sun and warm temperatures come back.