Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Be especially cautious in wind-affected terrain, where human-triggering is more likely.
Recent storm and wind slabs exist above 1600 m and will need time to settle. Be especially cautious as you transition into leeward terrain, where deeper, more reactive slabs have formed.
A natural avalanche cycle occurred Tuesday night during the storm. Numerous slab avalanches were triggered over steep northerly alpine terrain. Explosive controls produced several cornice falls and storm slabs up to size 2 around Whistler on Wednesday.
If you go into the backcountry, please consider submitting to the Mountain Information Network.
20 to 30 cm of new snow has accumulated above 1600 m with greater amounts found in leeward alpine terrain. This overlies a moist snow surface or a crust on all aspects, except north-facing alpine slopes where dry snow was found before the storm. The facet/crust layer that produced large avalanches during early March is buried 150-250 cm deep and is currently considered unreactive.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 2 cm of accumulation. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Thursday
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries. 30 to 50 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2° C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Saturday
Partly cloud with isolated flurries, 3 to 5 cm of accumulation. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
