The weather is shifting, but a complex snowpack remains hidden beneath the storm snow.
Verify conditions as you go and adjust terrain choices if you notice signs of instability.
A weak layer formed in early March is now buried 120 to 175 cm. Additional layers formed in January and February are now buried 150 to 250 cm. These layers may still be adjusting to the new snow load, but field observations remain limited.
Continuous storms in the past week have left numerous storm slab interfaces in the top 100 cm of the snowpack. These slabs will be largest and most reactive on northerly slopes. Dry loose avalanches in steep terrain may still be a concern.
With continuous storm cycles in the past week, numerous natural and human-triggered storm slab avalanches have been reported throughout the region. Near Whistler, Garibaldi Park and Mount Currie, there were several mentions of skiers accidentally triggering large slabs from northerly to easterly alpine slopes (size 1 to 2.5) on Friday and Saturday.
Thanks for sharing your observations via the MIN if you are going out into the backcountry.
The region received another 10 to 20 cm of new snow this weekend, totaling 120 to 175 cm of storm snow in the past week.
The recent snow is settling out rapidly. It sits on a weak layer formed in early March that consists of a crust on all aspects except high north-facing slopes and facets or surface hoar in some areas.
Weak layers formed in mid-February and late January are now buried 150 to 250 cm deep. We suspect these layers have mainly healed, but observations have been limited by stormy conditions.
Below this, the snowpack is well-settled and strong.
Sunday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Monday
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and clouds. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and clouds. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
