Human triggered persistent slab avalanches continue to be reported.
Triggering is most likely on northerly aspects and in wind affected terrain.
New snow overlies a variety of surfaces, including surface hoar, facets, or a crust, which may make wind slabs more reactive and take longer to bond.
Human triggered persistent slab avalanches continue to be reported. Triggering is most likely on northerly aspects and in wind affected terrain.
Wet loose avalanches will become very likely when the sun comes out. Avoid overhead hazard from steep sunny slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
On Sunday, a skier remotely triggered a size 2 persistent slab avalanche from 50 m away. The avalanche failed on a wind loaded slope on a northerly aspect at treeline near Panorama. The weak layer was 40-150cm deep.
A naturally triggered size 2 deep persistent slab that scrubbed down to rocks was observed on northwest aspect in the alpine near Brisco.
Explosive triggered storm slabs were also reported up to size 2.5, primarily on northerly aspects in the alpine.
30 - 50 cm of recent storm snow overlies a crust on sunny slopes and lower elevations, and surface hoar or facets on sheltered and shady upper elevations. Southwesterly wind formed slabs on lee features at treeline and above.
Several persistent weak layers consisting of a crust, facets or surface hoar from February and January remain a concern, buried 50 to 100 cm.
The bottom of the snowpack is composed of large facets in many areas.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop winds, treeline temperature -10 °C, freezing level valley bottom.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and cloud, 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop winds, treeline temperature -6 °C, freezing level 1400 m.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, 5 to 10 km/h southwest ridgetop winds, treeline temperature -5 °C, freezing level 1500 m.
Thursday
Cloudy, 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop winds, treeline temperature -3 °C, freezing level 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
