Tricky winter conditions exist at higher elevations. Localized solar radiation, snow and winds will influence the snowpack directly. Avalanche hazard can change quickly. Use a conservative approach to terrain and watch for signs of instabilities.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
The current wintery weather pattern continues as a pair of fronts hits the North Coast regions bringing strong winds and more precipitation. On Thursday, 5-20 mm of precipitation is expected with moderate SW winds and freezing levels rising to 1200 m. Periods of localized solar radiation is possible. Friday will see a mix of sun and cloud, 3-10 mm and light ridgetop winds. The weather pattern will start to change as an upper ridge settles in for the later part of the weekend. Saturday will see mostly cloudy skies and warmer temperatures as freezing levels rise to 2000 m. For the long range, the ridge dominates the province through the weekend and will remain stationary until Wednesday bringing warm air and clear, sunny skies.
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, a natural cycle up to size 3 was reported from steep alpine and treeline terrain. Suspect some of these naturals are stepping down to the old interfaces buried April 9 th and mid- March. Explosive control showed numerous storm slab and wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5. These were primarily from NW-N-E aspects above 1400 m. With continued snow, rain, and strong winds natural avalanches and human triggered avalanches will likely continue on Thursday. Lower elevations which have become rain soaked and natural loose wet avalanches from steeper terrain features are expected.
Snowpack Summary
At upper elevations 25- 50 cm of recent storm snow has blanketed the region. The new snow has been redistributed by strong south-west winds into wind slabs on leeward slopes and terrain features. The lack of bond between the new wind slabs and storm slabs over the older snow surfaces buried on April 9 th (surface hoar, crusts and facets) is the primary concern. The March 25th persistent surface hoar / crust layer is reportedly unreactive, however; with the new load of wind and snow this should remain on your radar as it may re-awaken, initiating very-large and destructive avalanches. Moist- rain soaked snow exists at lower elevations.
swerner,
Avalanche Canada
