Seeking sheltered snow over hard crust will avoid both of the problems on our radar. Use more conservative terrain as you enter higher, wind-affected areas where the crust is thin or absent.
Recent wind slabs may be reactive in leeward terrain at upper elevations. These may slide especially easily where they overlie crust. Forecast flurries and shifting winds may obscure the problem and/or widen its distribution.
We have uncertainty about both the distribution and reactivity of a few weak layers buried 1-1.5 m deep . They may remain problematic in isolated thin-to-thick snowpack areas at treeline and above.
There have been no avalanche observations since the widespread natural avalanche cycle during the storm on the weekend. These included:
Storm and wind slabs size 2-3, on northeast to southeast aspects at alpine and treeline elevations.
Several size 3 persistent slab avalanches suspected to have run on the February crust layer. These observations were concentrated at treeline elevation in the east of the region.
Up to about 15 cm of new snow should accumulate by end of day Thursday, adding to an existing 10-30 cm overlying firm early March surfaces including a crust below about 1700 - 1900 m with moist snow immediately below.
A few layers buried between late January and mid February, consisting of surface hoar, facets, and/or crust, are buried roughly 100 to 150 cm deep. We have uncertainty about both the distribution and reactivity of these layers in the region. They may remain problematic in isolated areas but we expect they are becoming less likely to trigger, especially where effectively capped by the early March crust.
The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated, with no other significant layers of concern.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 20 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind, increasing. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Thursday
Becoming a mix of sun and clouds after a further 2 to 5 cm of new snow. 20 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Friday
A mx of sun and cloud with scattered flurries bringing 2 to 5 cm of snow, mainly toward the north of the region. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Saturday
Mostly sunny after 1 to 5 cm of new snow overnight. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
