The Avalanche Danger may change quickly in the spring. Even brief periods of sun or rain can trigger pushy loose wet avalanches or promote destructive cornice falls.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday
Weather Forecast
On Wednesday expect 5-12cm of new snow with strong southwest ridgetop winds. Continued light snowfall (5-8cm) and decreased winds are forecast for Thursday. Clearing skies are expected on Friday as a dry ridge of high pressure develops over the province. Freezing levels should hover between 1100 and 1200m for the forecast period.
Avalanche Summary
Loose wet avalanches to size 1.5 were reported to have occurred in steep terrain on a variety of aspects. They failed in response to periods of solar warming or rain. New wind slab activity is expected in response to new snow and strong winds on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
Light amounts of snow fell on Monday night. The new snow overlies older wind slabs in exposed terrain and settled powder on shaded, sheltered slopes. Spring conditions have continued to develop. With that, lower elevation and sun-exposed slopes will likely appear moist or refrozen. A layer of surface hoar or melt-freeze crust buried on March 3 is down 50-80cm and has been on the radar of professionals in the mountains north of Stewart. A more widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found down over a metre. Both of these deeper layers have become less likely to trigger, but have the potential for large avalanches especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. I'd be increasingly cautious during periods of warming or solar radiation.
jlammers,
Avalanche Canada
