With uncertainty about diminishing storm instabilities and persistent layers still in play, we're approaching maximum snowpack complexity. It's a good time to travel conservatively.
Multiple weak layers are present between roughly 100 and 180 cm deep. We expect them to be effectively bridged at low elevations, but thin-to-thick snowpack areas at treeline and above should still be treated with caution.
New snow accumulations are settling over mid-storm interfaces and a crust now buried up to 80 cm deep. Wind loaded areas will likely be the most triggerable but all steep slopes should be treated with caution while the new snow stabilizes.
Wednesday's reports included several size 2 persistent slabs failing on a variety of unsupported features at around 1800 m, as well as one skier-triggered size 2 wind slab on an east-facing treeline feature, both just west of Revelstoke. Most other nearby reports refer to sluffing of new snow.
During the weekend, a widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred, size 2-3. These included many persistent slabs on north to east aspects in the alpine and at treeline.
60 - 80 cm of snow since March 7 has been redistributed by southwest winds in exposed higher elevation terrain. It sits on old wind-affected surfaces at treeline and above or on a crust, which extends up to 1900 m near Highway 1--closer to 2100 m in the Valhallas--with moist snow immediately below it.
Three formerly problematic layers of surface hoar, facets and/ or crust formed in January and February exist in the mid-snowpack, 1-2 m deep. Except in more suspect thin-to-thick snowpack areas at higher elevations, we expect these layers to mostly be bridged, especially at low elevations where the early March crust effectively caps the snowpack.
The remainder of the snowpack is well settled and strong.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing 5 to 10 cm of new snow, mostly north of Revelstoke. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing about 5 cm of snow, mostly south of Revelstoke. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Saturday
A mix of sun and clouds with scattered flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind shifting southwest. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
