Avalanche problems will vary with weather conditions throughout the Inland.
Watch for wet avalanche activity as rain, rising freezing levels or sun weakens the snowpack. High terrain in northern areas may see fresh wind slab development.
Wind slabs may be found in high alpine terrain, where dry snow has been redistributed onto north and east facing slopes. Expect greater reactivity where slabs sit over a crust.
Large cornices may also become weak and have the potential to trigger slabs on the slope below.
Last week's rising freezing levels and rain triggered large wet slab avalanches on steep and open terrain features at treeline and below, especially where the snowpack sits over smooth rock slabs. Minimize your exposure to large open slopes during intense rain/sun/warming.
Wet loose avalanche activity is also possible where loose surface snow is present below the freezing line and on solar aspects for southern terrain that may see strong sunshine.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. 5-8 cm possible around the Duffy with 1500 m freezing levels. The Coquihalla and Allison Pass areas may see freezing levels up to 2000 m, but trace amounts of precipitation. Light to moderate southwesterlies.
SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, around 5 cm of snow again favouring the north with freezing levels around 2000 m. Southern freezing levels reach 2500 m, with a mix of sun and cloud possible. Moderate to strong southwest winds.
MONDAY: Another 3-8 cm of snow over the day, mostly cloudy. Freezing levels return to 1500 m. Moderate southwest winds.
TUESDAY: Mostly clear skies, light southerly winds. Freezing levels reach 2500 m throughout the region.
On Friday, a cornice triggered wind slab size 1.5 was reported in an alpine feature.
Warm temperatures, rain and sun on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday produced large wet avalanches on all aspects below the freezing line, and on steep sun affected slopes. Similar activity is expected throughout this weather system.
Light snow will fall on a melt freeze crust that extends to treeline on all aspects to 2000-2500 m and on south facing slopes to mountain top. On shaded aspects new snow will sit over wind affected surfaces.
Low elevations and southern terrain that may see periods of strong sunshine will likely hold moist snow.
A melt-freeze crust from mid March exists down 30 to 60 cm on all aspects below 1500 m. The mid and lower snowpack is thought to be well settled and strong at this time.
