Summary
Confidence
Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Friday
Weather Forecast
Thursday: Overcast with sunny breaks and little to no precipitation during the day. Winds light-moderate from the southwest and alpine temperatures of -5. Freezing level rising to 1400m.Friday: Thursday night into Friday a warm front associated with a Pineapple Express weather system will affect the region. Unseasonably warm temperatures, strong southwesterly winds are forecast. Depending on the how the system tracks across the province, locally heavy precipitation is possible. Freezing level 1900mSaturday: Light precipitation, winds light southwest and freezing level of 1700m.
Avalanche Summary
Recent reports indicate skier controlled and remote loose and slab avalanches to size 1.5 in the alpine and upper end of tree-line.
Snowpack Summary
The recent new snow has been redistributed by the wind and is possibly reactive as a wind slab in exposed terrain or as loose snow in sheltered areas. The variably reactive February 12th and 15th surface hoar layers now exist up to 80cm below the surface and seem most prevalent on the west side of the region. This interface may also be reactive on solar aspects where a sun crust exists. A surface hoar layer buried on February 23 is still on the radar of some operators. This layer has been less likely to trigger by skiers, but may still be sensitive to large loads like avalanches in motion or cornice fall. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.
mbender,
Avalanche Canada
