South Coast Inland

Wind has developed slabs around ridges and in lee features at upper elevations. If the sun comes out and temperatures rise, the likelihood of loose wet avalanches will increase as the snowpack warms, especially in areas with fresh snow.

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries / west wind, 10-20 km/h / alpine low temperature -6 C / freezing level 1200 mWEDNESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm snow / southwest wind, 15 gusting to 45 km/h / alpine high temperature -4 C / freezing level 1600 mTHURSDAY: Cloudy with flurries, 5-15 cm / southwest wind 10-30 km/h / alpine high temperature -3 C / freezing level 1800 mFRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods, flurries near the Coquihalla, up to 10 cm / southwest wind 10-15 km/h / alpine high temperature 0 C / freezing level 1900 m

A MIN report from the Whistler Backcountry here documents a skier triggered slab avalanche on a north-northeast alpine aspect on Monday. The avalanche was triggered in lee-ward terrain below a ridge feature. While outside the forecast region, the avalanche highlights a similar terrain feature that may hold wind slabs in the South Coast Inland.A natural avalanche cycle to size 2 likely occurred overnight Saturday around the Duffey; slab avalanches to size 2 were observed on north-northeasterly aspects around ridgetops and in recently loaded lee features on Sunday. Explosives also triggered small (size 1-1.5) wind slab avalanches on north to west aspects about 2000 m.On Saturday, small wind slab pockets were reactive to skiers in cross-loaded features at treeline.The likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches will increase on if the sun shines, especially in areas with fresh snow.

Up to 20 cm wind and temperature affected snow covers a melt-freeze crust on most slopes, and dry, faceted snow and isolated surface hoar on north-facing alpine terrain. Wind slabs have formed around ridgetops and lee alpine features. Warm temperatures during the day are moistening the snowpack up to 2000 m; snow is rapidly melting at lower elevations. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.