Avalanches are possible at upper elevations where dry new snow fell.
Travelling conditions are tricky where a thick surface crust is present.
Continually assess conditions as you travel.
New snow is found at upper elevations. While amounts are uncertain, newly formed wind slabs may exist on wind-loaded alpine and cross-loaded features.
Despite all the increased precipitation, persistent slabs may linger within the upper snowpack. Triggering may still be possible in areas without a thick and supportive surface crust.
Continued evidence of a widespread wet cycle, with numerous natural avalanches (up to size 2.5-3), was reported near Fernie.
These included cornice falls, wet slabs and loose wet avalanches from all aspects and elevations. Persistent slabs (1.5 to 2.5 m deep crown) and a glide slab were also observed at treeline.
If you are heading into the backcountry, please consider sharing conditions via the MIN.
By Sunday morning, up to 10 cm of new snow may have fallen at upper elevations. This will overlay a developing melt-freeze crust and/or wet surface snow.
Below this, up 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 most of the persistent slabs in the top 120 cm of the snowpack, but some may still linger in areas where avalanche paths have not yet released.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas. The lower snowpack is soaked at lower elevations.
As freezing levels drop, a widespread crust will form on all aspects at all elevations.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow or rain. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
