Reactive storm slabs will continue to develop throughout the day.
Stick to low-angle, simple terrain and give the storm snow time to settle and bond.
A building storm slab overlies a widespread melt freeze crust on terrain above 1200 m. Expect new windslabs on north aspect terrain to be sensitive to human triggering through this storm period.
Wet loose avalanches are possible at lower elevations where the precipitation falls as rain.
On Thursday, avalanche control teams near Courtenay conducted explosive cornice control and initiated a large (size 2.5) Cornice and loose wet avalanche.
Evidence of a widespread avalanche cycle up to size 3 was reported on Wednesday. The cycle happened early this week.
New snow of up to 50 cm overlies a widespread crust found above 1100m. Below this elevation expect the upper snowpack to remain wet and unconsolidated with rain. New snow and strong south east wind will create deeper and more reactive slabs on north—and east-facing slopes, especially near ridge crests.
A robust crust, formed in early March, can be found in the mid-pack. The snow above is well bonded to this crust.
Below this, the snowpack is well consolidated and strong.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy with 20 to 50 cm falling as snow above 1000 m. 40 to 60 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with 15 to 30 cm falling as snow above 1000 m. 50 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm falling as snow above 1000 m. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Sunday
Clearing and Sun. No new precipitation. 20 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
