Manage new wind slabs by seeking sheltered powder, but don't rule out persistent slabs just yet. Treeline where the recent crust is weak seems the most likely terrain to deal out a surprise.
Recent wind slabs may be reactive in leeward terrain at upper elevations. These may slide especially easily where they overlie crust. Forecast flurries and shifting winds may obscure the problem and/or widen its distribution.
We have uncertainty about both the distribution and reactivity of a few weak layers buried 1-1.5 m deep . They may remain problematic in isolated thin-to-thick snowpack areas, particularly at treeline.
There have been no avalanche observations since the widespread natural avalanche cycle during the storm on the weekend. It produced:
Storm and wind slabs size 2-3, on northeast to southeast aspects at alpine and treeline elevations.
Several size 3 persistent slab avalanches suspected to have run on the February crust layer. These observations were concentrated at treeline elevation in the east of the region.
20 to 50 cm of snow since March 7 sits on firm old wind effect in the alpine and exposed treeline and on a melt-freeze crust to at least 1600 m.
A few weak layers, particularly one from late January one from early February, both consisting of surface hoar, facets, and/or crust, are buried roughly 100 to 150 cm deep. These are showing up less and less in snowpack test results but may remain a problem in more isolated thin-to-thick snowpack areas above the elevation of our newest crust. A north aspect profile at 1600 m in the lower Canoe produced moderate, propagating results on the 90 cm-deep January layer in an extended column test Wednesday.
The remainder of the snowpack is generally strong, with no layers of concern.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy with flurries bringing about 5 cm of new snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing about 5 cm of new snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, shifting west. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries bringing less than 5 cm of new snow, including overnight. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
