Snow and wind may form new slabs at higher elevations. Assess for the bond of the snow prior to exposing yourself to high-consequence terrain.
New snow and strong wind may form new wind slabs in lee terrain near ridgetops. These slabs may not bond well with old snow surfaces. Assess for slabs prior to committing to consequential terrain.
Explosives broke off chunks of cornices on Monday. We haven't received recent reports of slabs being pulled below the falling cornices.
Looking towards Wednesday, riders could trigger newly formed wind slabs at higher elevations. Use caution entering steep, lee terrain features.
Please consider submitting a MIN to let us know what you're seeing out there.
Around 10 to 25 cm of new snow may accumulate by Wednesday afternoon above 1500 m, while rain falls at lower elevations. The snow will be blown around by strong southwest wind, which may form wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridgetop. This new snow sits on moist snow or a hard melt-freeze crust.
A thick crust from mid-March is 30-60 cm deep, which extends up to about 2400 m. Near Invermere, a weak layer of facets may be found above this crust.
Facets are found near the bottom of the snowpack in shallow alpine snowpack areas. The lower snowpack is strong in deep snowpack areas.
The snowpack continues to melt at lower elevations.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow with local amounts up to 20 cm possible. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds with isolated flurries for northern areas around Golden. Mostly cloudy for southern areas around Invermere with 10 to 15 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Thursday
Morning clouds then a mix of sun and clouds. 5 to 15 cm of snow with local amounts up to 25 cm possible. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds with isolated flurries. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
