Northwest Coastal

Hazard could be higher than forecast on solar aspects in the afternoon. Cornices are growing large, mature and require careful consideration.

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Synopsis: An arctic high pressure ridge in the interior of BC will cool things down before the next Pacific frontal wave arrives on Monday..Tonight: Cloudy with a trace of precipitation, freezing level around 200 metres, winds light, from the north west.Sunday: Sunny with some cloudy periods, no precipitation in the forecast, freezing level around 400 metres, light ridge top winds from the north west.Monday: Cloudy with flurries, freezing level around 400 metres, winds light to moderate from the north.Tuesday: Cloudy with snow, 10 to 15 cm in the forecast, freezing level at 400 metres, winds light, south west.

Reports of avalanche activity appears dropped of yesterday, but the weak layers are still there. Any rapid change, ....loading, too much sun, or just a rapid temperature increase may bring back the beast. Rider triggering is still possible. Cornices have become quite large in some parts of the forecast region and they are definitely something to watch out for.

The area has received 75 to 150cm of snow over the past 5 to 7 days. The recent storm snow arrived with strong winds and produced wind slabs at tree line and above, increasing the depth of the slab that now overlies the March persistent weak layer. In addition, much of the recent storm snow has fallen on a melt freeze and/or rain crusts that exist in most parts of the region below 1200 metres. This will most likely become reactive on solar aspects when the sun finally comes out.The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is widespread throughout the forecast region. This layer is now buried close to 150cm in most parts of the region. A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear tests. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding around this layer, but a sudden increase in load, cornice failure, or a large rainfall event could "wake up" this layer and result in a large destructive avalanche.