A mild spring-like pattern continues. Avalanche danger will vary depending on aspect, elevation, and time of day. Stay tuned-in to signs of instability.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
A series of moist and mild weather systems are tracking onto the BC Coast under a southwesterly flow. Sadly only light precipitation is expected to make it to the Southeast corner with each pulse. Generally, we should expect a couple mm’s each day with the daytime freezing level hovering around 1800-2000 m. Ridge winds should be moderate or strong from the W-SW. Currently it looks like a good chance of some sunshine on Monday afternoon.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Friday. Loose wet activity was reported throughout the week as a result of warm temperatures and sunshine.
Snowpack Summary
5 cm of moist new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects and lower elevation terrain, surface hoar on sheltered slopes, and wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Soft new wind slabs might be hiding older, harder wind slabs on exposed north aspects in the alpine. Cornices have grown significantly recently. In some areas you may find a supportive crust down 30cm that extends up to around 1900m. A layer of buried surface hoar can be found between 40 and 60cm down and remains a concern, primarily west of the Continental Divide. The snowpack rests on a weak crust/facet layer from early December.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.