North Columbia

As soon as the sun comes out the surface snow will quickly become moist and increase the likelihood of loose wet avalanches. Wind slabs might still be sensitive to human triggering.

High -

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries / up to 5 cm accumulation / light northwest wind / freezing level 900 mTHURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / light northerly wind / alpine high temperature -5 C / freezing level 1700 mFRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / trace of snow / light westerly wind / alpine high temperature -5 C / freezing level 1700 mSATURDAY: Cloudy / 5-10 cm of snow accumulation / moderate southwest wind / alpine high temperature -5 C / freezing level 1600 m

On Tuesday, several natural, human and remote triggered storm/wind slab avalanches 20-40 cm deep and up to size 2.5 were observed on north and east aspects. Several natural wet slab and loose wet avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported from south and west aspects (see a MIN report from Glacier National Park here). On Monday, several natural and human triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on west, north and east aspects in the alpine. A few natural and human triggered wind slabs to size 1.5 were reported from immediate lee features in the alpine. Several natural loose avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed on northerly aspects at treeline and in the alpine.

15 to 40 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in some areas. On northern aspects the new snow is slowly bonding and humans might still trigger storm slab avalanches. Strong southwest winds on Monday created isolated wind slabs in lee features at treeline and in the alpine. Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.