Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Due to limited field observations

Synopsis: A series of frontal systems will move through the province over the next few days bringing cloud and light snow to the Northwest. Friday: Light snow – 5-10 cm. The freezing level is around 800-1000 m and winds are moderate from the south-southeast. Saturday: Light snow continues. The freezing level remains around 1000 m. Winds are moderate from the south. Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud with a chance of flurries. Temperatures are pretty steady with daytime freezing levels around 1000-1200 m.

Solar induced avalanche activity tapered off over the past couple days as temperatures cooled slightly. Previous activity included loose wet sluffs up to size 2 on steep sun-exposed slopes. Cornices and glide cracks continue to fail with some regularity.

Light new snow will bury a variety or old snow surfaces including a melt-freeze crust, moist snow, sugary facets, and wind affected snow. Pockets of wind slab could develop in exposed lee terrain over the next several days. 30 - 60 cm of snow overlies a crust, old wind slabs or surface hoar layer buried on March 9th. The distribution of the surface hoar is also highly variable and it does not exist in every drainage. I would still remain cautious and continue to dig and test before diving into my line. Deeper in the snowpack, basal facets may resurface as a concern with continued mild temperatures.Cornices have become well-developed and could easily become unstable during periods of warm weather or direct solar radiation.