Northwest Coastal

Avalanche hazard will likely be on the rise as forecast storm snow begins to stack up.

Poor - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Wednesday: 3 to 22mm of precipitation expected. Rain below 1500m, 5 to 30cm of snow above 1500m. Moderate S winds at treeline, Strong to Extreme SW winds at ridgetop.Wednesday Night: Another 10 to 25mm of precipitation expected, resulting in 10 to 30cm of snow above 1500m.Thursday: Freezing level holding at 1500m. 5 to 10cm expected above 1500m. Moderate SW winds at treeline, Strong SW winds at ridgetop.Thursday Night: 2 to 25mm of precipitation expected. 5 to 35cm of snow possible above 1500m.Friday: Freezing level at 1200m. 5 to 10cm of snow above 1200m. Light SW winds at treeline, strong SW winds at ridgetop.

On Saturday, a few isolated size 1 wind slabs were skier triggered in the north of the region. On Sunday cornice fall to size 2 was observed. No new avalanche activity to report from Monday.

In high elevation lee terrain you may find smaller soft wind slabs which formed in response to recent southwest winds and light snowfall. These wind slabs overlie a variety of surfaces which include older wind slabs or melt-freeze crusts. On sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations, the snowpack is likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle.Up to a meter below the surface you may find a hard crust which co-exists with facets. This condition seems more specific to the north of the region. Although reports suggest this layer has gained significant strength, I'd be wary of the possibility of isolated large avalanches on steep, unsupported slopes, especially if temperatures increase, or if solar radiation is strong. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are large and potentially fragile.