Spring flurries and wind may combine to build fresh wind slabs in lee features. Also, loose wet slides are possible whenever the sun pokes out.
Confidence
Fair - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud with a chance of showers. The freezing level is around 1500-1700 m and ridge winds are moderate from the West. Monday: Sun and cloud to start, with increasing cloud and a chance of flurries late or overnight. The freezing level bumps up to 2000-2200 m. Winds are moderate gusting strong from the S-SW. Tuesday: Cloudy with flurries. The freezing level lowers to 1600 m and wind remain moderate from the W-SW.
Avalanche Summary
One size 2 loose wet slide was reported in the Lizard Range on Friday. Observations are becoming more limited as we enter into spring. If you're out in the mountains, please consider posting your observations to our webpage using the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust on higher shady slopes, while melt-freeze conditions are more likely on sun-exposed and lower elevation slopes. In some areas, winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event.
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.