The timing of the this weekend's big warm-up is difficult to forecast. If Sunday ends up being the warmer day, Sunday's avalanche danger may be higher than posted.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Sunday
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Clear skies / Light and variable winds / Freezing level at about 2000mMonday: Clear with increased cloud late in the day / Light to moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at about 1500mTuesday: Overcast skies with very light precipitation / Light westerly winds / Freezing level at about 1300m
Avalanche Summary
In recent days numerous loose wet, and wet slab avalanches were reported up to size 2 from steeper start zones at treeline and below treeline. A widespread natural avalanche cycle up to size 4 occurred over the past 5 days and deep persistent weak layers became overloaded, initiating very-large avalanches. In shallower snowpack areas, storm slab avalanches have stepped down to the December facet/ depth hoar layer. Natural avalanche activity will likely continue through the weekend with sunny skies and a rapid rise in freezing levels.
Snowpack Summary
A recent storm has brought 90+ cm or more to coastal regions forming thick storm slabs on leeward features. Warmer temperatures have helped to settle the recent snow, although the storm snow may continue to be touchy where it overlies surface hoar, crusts and/or facets buried on April 2nd. At lower elevations the snowpack has been saturated by rain and may exist as wet snow or a refrozen crust. Large cornices have formed and loom over slopes below.The early February crust/facet layer is down 150 - 240 cm. This layer has become overloaded by recent storm loading and is failing in some places resulting in very-large avalanches.
jlammers,
Avalanche Canada
