Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

A well-developed ridge of high pressure will continue to provide clear skies, light winds, and very warm temperatures for Thursday and Friday. Freezing levels may climb as high as 3000 metres, and there may not be a freeze on Friday morning in some areas. A weak trough will move inland from the coast on Saturday, bringing moderate southwest winds and increasing cloud cover. Some light precipitation may make it into the Interior ranges, however it may be mostly rain as the freezing level should remain at about 2500 metres on Saturday.

On Tuesday numerous natural cornice releases resulted in avalanches up to size 3.0 from various aspects in the alpine. On Monday we had reports of several natural cornice falls up to size 2.0 from various aspects in the alpine. There were also several loose moist or wet avalanches up to size 2.0 on solar exposed aspects in steep terrain in the late afternoon.

New surface crusts have developed at all elevations on solar aspects and on all but high alpine elevations on shaded aspects. Thin surface crusts may break down early with continued warm temperatures. Approximately 30-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 20. The late February persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for wide propagations in isolated terrain, however it may take a large trigger like a cornice fall to initiate an avalanche. Watch for recent storm snow releasing as loose wet avalanches on steep solar aspects with strong solar radiation and daytime warming this week.