Northwest Inland

Fair - Due to limited field observations

Synopsis: The first in a series of frontal systems will reach the coast on Thursday afternoon spreading light to moderate precipitation to the Northwest through Saturday morning.Thursday: Increasing cloud with light snow developing in the evening. The freezing level rises to 1500 m during the day and winds are generally light from the southwest. Friday: Moderate precipitation – 5-15 cm. The freezing level is near 1200 m and winds are moderate from the south. Saturday: Light precipitation continues. The freezing level remains around 1200 m.

Solar induced avalanche activity tapered off on Tuesday as temperatures cooled. Recent activity included loose wet sluff on sun-exposed slopes, and isolated cornice falls and glide slab releases on steep open slopes below treeline. 

Surface snow has settled with the influence of warm temperatures and surface faceting continues on steep shaded alpine slopes. Solar aspects at all elevations and all lower elevation terrain are now well into a daily melt-freeze cycle with sun-exposed slopes becoming very weak with daytime warming. 30 - 60 cm of snow overlies a crust, old wind slabs or surface hoar layer buried on March 9th. The distribution of the surface hoar is also highly variable and it does not exist in every drainage. I would still remain cautious and continue to dig and test before diving into my line. Deeper in the snowpack, basal facets may resurface as a concern with continued mild temperatures.Cornices have become well-developed and could easily become unstable during periods of warm weather or direct solar radiation.