There seems to be a high uncertainty with precipitation amounts for the region with an approaching Pineapple Express. However what is more certain is the region will be affected by strong winds and relatively high freezing levels.
Confidence
Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Friday
Weather Forecast
Friday: Thursday night into Friday a warm front associated with a Pineapple Express weather system will affect portions of the region. Unseasonably warm temperatures, strong westerly winds are forecast. Depending on the how the system tracks across the province, moderate to heavy precipitation is possible in portions of the region. Freezing level 1900m.Saturday: Light precipitation, winds light southwest and freezing level of 1900m.Sunday: Light precipitation, light southeast winds, and freezing level of 1700m.
Avalanche Summary
Slab avalanches to size 1.5 were ski cut and failed naturally in the region. Recent explosives testing in the southern portion of the region producing slab avalanches to size 2.5 isolated to the storm snow.
Snowpack Summary
Light to locally moderate amounts of new snow have fallen adding to an ongoing storm snow instability, particularly on the west side of the region where accumulations have been highest. The new snow is most likely reactive as a wind slab in exposed terrain or as loose snow in sheltered areas. The variably reactive February 12th and 15th surface hoar layers now exist up to 80cm below the surface and seem most prevalent on the west side of the region. This interface may also be reactive on solar aspects where a sun crust exists. A surface hoar layer buried on February 23 is still on the radar of some operators. This layer has been less likely to trigger by skiers, but may still be sensitive to large loads like avalanches in motion or cornice fall. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.
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.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.