With cool temperatures and a dusting of new snow the main hazard is isolated pockets of wind slabs.
Isolated wind slabs may form at higher elevations as new snow and strong wind impact the region. Assess for the formation of slabs if you venture to steep, leeward terrain.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Scattered flurries with 5-10 cm of snow, 30-40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures drop to -7 C.
SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with some light flurries and up to 5 cm of new snow, 20-30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C, freezing level climbs to 1300 m.
SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, 20-30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -7 C.
MONDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries and 5-10 cm of snow, 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.
While there are no recent reports of avalanches, wind slabs could be reactive to human triggering on some steep terrain features.
Unsettled weather has delivered about 10 cm of snow which may have formed isolated wind slabs at higher elevations. This snow overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust, with the exception of high elevation northerly aspects where the snow sits above a small surface hoar layer.
Deeper in the snowpack, a persistent weak layer from late January is buried around 80 to 150 cm and is composed of a combination of surface hoar, facets, and crusts. We haven't received a report of avalanche activity on this layer since late February and the likelihood of triggering this layer is currently low.
As always, best to avoid shallow, rocky areas where a weak and faceted snowpack may be found.
