Strong solar radiation will likely impact the recent storm snow.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, wind, and sun exposure.
Human-triggering wind slabs will remain possible on steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features. As recent wind varied in direction, watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Strong solar radiation will affect the recent storm snow. Wet loose avalanches will become likely throughout the day, especially on steep sun-exposed slopes where recent snow overlays a melt-freeze crust.
On Wednesday, skiers triggered small wind slabs on steep convexities and wet loose avalanches on steep sun-affected slopes at treeline throughout the region. Explosive controls produced several cornice falls, storm slabs and dry loose avalanches up to size 2 around Whistler over the past two days.
If you go into the backcountry, please consider submitting to the Mountain Information Network.
20 to 30 cm of recent storm snow is found above 1600 m with greater amounts in northerly alpine terrain. This overlies a moist snow surface or a crust on all aspects, except north-facing alpine slopes where dry snow remains. Recent northerly winds have created reverse-loading and cross-loading patterns on all alpine slopes. The storm snow is rapidly settling at treeline and becoming moist on solar aspects.
The facet/crust layer that produced large avalanches during early March is buried 150-250 cm deep and is currently considered unreactive.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2° C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Saturday
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with 3 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
