Hazard remains considerable at upper elevations and moderate at mid to lower elevations. Strong Northerly winds over the past several days have created fresh, reactive wind slabs on southerly aspects below ridgelines. Watch for smooth pillows, hollow or drum-like sounds, and shooting cracks. Large avalanches failing on the 3/6 melt-freeze crust were observed across Douglas on March 22–23 but have remained dormant since. Be especially cautious of large, open, and connected slopes. Remote triggering, wide propagation, and unreliable stability feedback remain key concerns while traveling in the mountains today. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential.
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Blowing snow along ridgelines and active wind transport were observed throughout the day yesterday, and the day prior. Wind advisory is in effect throughout the day today. With sustained Northeast winds, expect reactive wind slabs to have formed on Southerly aspects below ridgelines and are possible on West to East as well.
With solar radiation, expect sun-exposed slopes to produce wet loose avalanches. There is potential for these to step down to the 3/6 melt-freeze crust.
An avalanche cycle on 3/22 and 3/23 occurred on the 3/6 melt-freeze crust, approximately 85 cm below the surface. These slides were all reported on North-West aspects. However, with recent Northerly winds now loading Southerly aspects, there is potential for reactivity on all aspects. We have not seen activity on this layer since 3/23.
The past 48+ hours have been marked by high pressure and an outflow wind event, which has been extended through 6 PM this evening. This event has produced sustained moderate to strong Northeast winds, with extreme gusts across Douglas. With a significant amount of transportable snow available, expect reactive wind slabs to develop, primarily on Southerly aspects.
We continue to monitor the reactivity of the 3/6 melt-freeze crust, approximately 85 cm below the surface. An active avalanche cycle on March 22–23 produced multiple D2+ avalanches failing on this layer, primarily on North to West facing aspects. With the last 48+ hours of strong Northeast winds, snow is being redistributed onto Southerly aspects, where fresh wind slabs may be reactive. This loading pattern has the potential to reawaken the 3/6 layer on more Southerly slopes.
While we have not seen any activity on the 3/6 layer since 3/23, persistent slabs remain difficult to predict. They can lie dormant for extended periods and may only be triggered from isolated thin spots, often with little warning. This makes stability feedback unreliable and can create a false sense of security. Careful terrain assessment and heightened awareness are essential.
Today, there is a chance of snow flurries before 1 PM, followed by a transition to predominantly sunny and calmer conditions. Temperatures are expected to gradually warm throughout the week.
