Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Due to limited field observations

High pressure and an offshore flow develops today over the North Coast. Sunny skies and spring-like conditions will persist through to Friday. The next low pressure system is expected to arrive Saturday. Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud. Very light precipitation expected. Alpine temperatures near -7.0. Freezing levels rising to 1200 m in the afternoon. Ridgetop winds will blow moderate from the West. Thursday/Friday: Sunny with some mid-high cloud cover. Alpine temperatures near -9.0. Freezing levels around 1400 m. Ridgetop winds blowing light from the SW.

On Monday, numerous loose wet avalanches occurred from steep rocky terrain features.On Sunday, natural avalanche activity seemed to taper off. However, there was one report of natural icefall size 2.0. Natural cornice fall is expected through the forecast period with warmer afternoon temperatures and solar radiation. 

Northern areas of the region have experienced strong winds that have redistributed storm snow on lee aspects creating stiff wind slabs. 35 - 65 cm of recent snow sits on a variety of old snow surfaces, including crusts, previous wind slabs and a buried surface hoar layer (March 9th).Last week, the March 9th surface hoar layer has been touchy in many areas and many large avalanches have released on it. Currently, this layer seems to be less reactive, but is still a concern (low probability-high consequence) . Recent snowpack tests are showing hard, resistent shears. This layer may be healing in some places, but I would remain conservative and continue to dig and test before diving into my line. The distribution of the surface hoar is variable and it may not exist, or be reactive, in every drainage. Where it does exist, it appears to be present at all elevations. Cornices have become well-developed and could easily become unstable during periods of warm weather or direct solar radiation. Most snow surfaces exist on solar aspects up to 2300 m, forming a melt-freeze crust overnight.