Stick to conservative, low consequence slopes while the storm snow settles.
Human triggered avalanches are likely and natural avalanches are possible during active wind loading.
With recent load, the buried weak layers from early February (facets, surface hoar and crusts) in the upper metre of the snowpack will become more reactive, producing widely propagating avalanches.
Storm snow will likely remain reactive to human triggering. On slopes where wind loading is still occurring natural avalanches will be possible as well.
A natural avalanche cycle occurred on Wednesday and Thursday, details of the extent of the cycle are limited as the recent weather has made for tough travel and poor visibility.
Naturally triggered persistent and storm slabs were observed up to size 3. These avalanches occurred on a variety of aspects and elevations.
Recent storm totals are 30 to 60 cm. This snow has been accompanied by strong southwest wind, forming deeper deposits on north and east aspects. Windward slopes may be scoured back to an old crust. In sheltered features this snow could overlie surface hoar or a sun crust.
Crust, facet and spotty surface hoar layers exist in the upper metre of the snowpack. These layers are most concerning at treeline and below, especially in areas where the snowpack is shallower.
Below, the remaining snowpack is generally well settled and bonded.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 15 cm of snow. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
