Regions
Northwest Coastal.
Consider the hazard to be HIGH in localized areas that receive more than 25 cm of new snow.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY NIGHT: Snow; accumulation 10-25 cm. Strong southwest wind. Freezing level 800 m. FRIDAY: Snow; accumulation 5-15 cm. Strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature -1. Freezing level 1000 m.SATURDAY: Cloudy with flurries; accumulation 3-5 cm. Moderate southwest wind. Alpine temperature -2. Freezing level 800 m. SUNDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Light southwest wind. Alpine temperature 0. Freezing level 1200 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in this region on Wednesday. However, I would expect the incoming storm on Thursday night to form fresh storm slabs reactive to human triggers; especially in wind affected terrain at treeline and above.
Snowpack Summary
The incoming snow and strong winds on Thursday night will create touchy storm slabs at treeline and above.In the south of the region, two layers of surface hoar are buried early-March and mid-March are approximately 70-100 cm deep and most prominent on north to east aspects. Further north, these layers are around 40 cm deep.Below these March layers the mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. However in the far north of the region there are weak sugary facets near the bottom of the snowpack.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.