Northwest Coastal

The weather is due to change with snowfall forecast for Wednesday and Thursday. Avalanche danger will gradually increase as the snow starts to accumulate Thursday.

Low - Due to the number of field observations

TUESDAY:  Mix of sun and cloud. Light southwest wind. Alpine temperature -2. Freezing level 1100 m. WEDNESDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10cm. Light to moderate south wind. Alpine temperature -2. Freezing level 1100 m. THURSDAY: Periods of snow, accumulation 10-20cm. Moderate south wind. Alpine temperature -1. Freezing level 1200 m.

Reports from this weekend indicate loose wet activity on steep slopes facing the sun at tree line and in the alpine. These avalanches were reported as size 1-2 and were isolated to the recent surface snow only. Several naturally triggered wind slabs up to size 2 on steep alpine features were reported near Bear Pass on Saturday.

10-20 cm of recent storm snow and strong variable winds have formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.In the south of the region, two layers of surface hoar are buried early-March and mid-March are approximately 70-100 cm deep. The layers are most prominent on north to east aspects and were buried In the north of the region, these layers are around 40 cm deep.Bellow these March layers the mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. However, in the portions of the region with a shallower snowpack, such as the far north, have weak sugary facets near the bottom of the snowpack.