Storm slabs will require special attention until the recent snow settles and bonds. Make careful terrain choices as the sun comes out and temperatures rise.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday
Weather Forecast
A weak ridge of high pressure will cross the region today and tomorrow bringing warmer temperatures and some sunny skies, then moves on as a cold front follows and crosses the coast on Sunday. On Monday a high pressure ridge will begin to establish itself to the west of the coast, blocking incoming Pacific moisture for the next few days. TODAY: Freezing level rising to around 1500 m, no precipitation expected, winds are forecast to be light southwest. SATURDAY: Cloudy, freezing level around 1500 m, no precipitation expected, winds mostly from the south. SUNDAY: Freezing level lowers briefly to around 1200 m, 5 to 15 cm of snow possible, light southwest winds are forecast. MONDAY: Sunny skies with some cloudy periods, no precipitation in the forecast, freezing level climbing to 2000 m, winds from the south. For more detailed mountain weather information visit: https://avalanche.ca/weather
Avalanche Summary
Reports of avalanche activity on Thursday were mostly of small storm and wind slabs on old surfaces including the March 23rd crust. Although not reported, I would suspect that there were natural storm slab failures on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
15 to 30 cm of storm snow fell between Wednesday night and Thursday accompanied by moderate south/southwest wind. W now have storm and wind slabs at treeline and above. Below the new snow, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. South slopes become moist/wet quickly with the strong spring sun. Cornices are huge and fragile.
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.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.
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.