Uncertainty remains on how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.
Conditions will vary with elevation, from wet snow to surface crust.
Make observations as you travel.
Lingering persistent slabs remain at treeline and above, especially in areas where avalanche paths have not yet released. Use caution at elevations without a supportive surface crust, where triggering may still be possible.
The upper snowpack is soaked and overlies a supportive crust. Wet slabs may still be possible at upper elevations, while wet loose may still be possible at lower elevations, particularly in areas without a supportive surface crust.
Numerous and very large avalanches (up to size 3.5) were reported throughout the region, indicating a widespread natural cycle. These included cornice falls, wet slabs and loose wet avalanches from all aspects and elevations.
If you are heading into the backcountry, please consider sharing conditions via the MIN.
High freezing levels and heavy rain have saturated the top 20 to 50 cm of surface snow up to the mountain tops.
As freezing levels drop, a widespread crust will start to form on all aspects and at higher elevations.
Below this, 30 to 50 cm of wet snow sits above a crust (1 to 10 cm thick), buried in early March.
The widespread avalanche cycle has likely flushed the persistent slabs in the top 120 cm of the snowpack, but may still linger in areas where avalanche paths have not yet released.
The mid/lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas.
The snowpack rapidly diminishes at lower elevations and is moist to the ground in shallower areas.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy. Up to 2 cm of snow at treeline. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Saturday
Mostly unny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
