Forecasters remain uncertain that the Feb 27 storm load has fully settled and stabilized. There is a decrease in natural activity yet it continues in our nearest neighbors. There remains potential to produce large deadly avalanches. Consider the size of slopes and overhead hazard in your decision-making process.
Strong alpine winds during and after the Feb 27 storm extensively redistributed snow into Windslabs on a variety of slopes and aspects. There remains the potential to encounter this condition lower on slopes.
Feb 27 storm snow and accompanying strong winds built a cohesive slab. A natural cycle, up to size 3.5, has been observed on this layer on the days following the storm plus a skier triggered size 2 near miss occurred on Saturday at Hilda ridge. Stability is improving.
March 3rd Maligne's explosive control released a couple size 1 persistent slabs. Visibility was poor to note any new naturals. March 2nd saw a significant avalanche on the East face of Whistlers Peak. Our neighbors to the West and South are still reporting natural activity. Natural avalanches up to size 3.5 were observed Feb 27-Mar 1st. A skier triggered size 2 near miss occurred on Feb 28 at Hilda ridge. See the MIN.
Feb 26-27th brought upwards of 40 cm of new snow locally at the Icefields area. Since then, it has been redistributed by moderate to strong West winds. This sits atop the January weak layer of facets and surface hoar down 40–60 cm, forming a persistent slab. Below 2000m, a thin melt-freeze crust is developing on the surface with warm daytime temperatures. The mid-pack is well consolidated but basal facets are found in thinner areas.
Weather conditions for Wednesday are expected to be flurries, 6 cm of new snow, -2 °C, light winds, and 1800 metres freezing level. Thursday and Friday could be clouds, sun, flurries, trace of new snow, light gusting moderate West winds, and -3 to -10 °C.
