Summary
Confidence
Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Tonight and Thursday: A warm front is moving North along the coast and will bring light precipitation on the North and Eastern part of the region till Thursday night and rising freezing levels on the whole region reaching 1000 m by the afternoon Thursday. Winds are expected to keep blowing strong from the SW. Mainly cloudy skies.Friday: The whole Coast is under a high pressure system, clearing skies, moderate to strong SW switching from the S and freezing levels reaching 2000 m. Saturday: A frontal system is expected to reach the coast, expect cloudy skies, mild temperatures and winds tapering down.
Avalanche Summary
Multiple size 2 avalanches released in the moist storm slab mostly on E aspects and as glide crack releases at lower elevations.
Snowpack Summary
The recent wind event and forecasted strong winds from the NW will continue developping windslabs in the alpine and at top of treeline elevation band tomorrow which will most likely remain touchy during the day. Below 1500 m, yesterday’s heavy rain soaked the snowpack creating a crust and very bad skiing conditions. I suspect that buried surface hoar layer at treeline and basal facets on thin rocky features will keep healing with these mild temperatures. However, it is a good idea to keep looking for it, testing it and avoid steep unsupported terrain where the surface hoar layer is suspected to exist. Watch for solar radiation on steep S facing slopes and temperatures warming tomorrow. This would result in weakening the snowpack and cornices which could trigger fresh slabs.
slemieux,
Avalanche Canada
