Although natural avalanche activity is tapering off new snow remains reactive to human triggering due to a buried weak layer.
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30 to 55 cm of new snow and southwest winds have formed slabs in lee terrain features. New snow is bonding poorly to surfaces below. Back off if you signs of instability: whumphing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches.
On Saturday, numerous natural and human triggered storm slab avalanches were reported on all aspects, size 1 to 2.5.
Of note, a suspected skier remote triggered, size 2.5 storm slab avalanche in Whitewater area. This occurred on a north facing treeline slope. The crown was 30 to 70 cm deep and ran on a buried layer of surface hoar.
A size 3 vehicle controlled avalanche was reported on an east facing alpine feature. We suspect this avalanche ran on a buried layer of surface hoar.
Storm snow totals range from 30 to 55 cm. Deeper deposits are found in wind-loaded areas. The new snow is bonding poorly to old surfaces, which include melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes, surface hoar or facets on shaded slopes, and wind-affected snow in exposed terrain.
A weak layer of surface hoar buried, 30 to 80cm deep, has been the culprit of many natural and human-triggered avalanches through the weekend. Where this layer is preserved it will remain reactive to human triggering.
The lower snowpack is strong and bonded.
Sunday Night
Cloudy with light flurries, 2 to 8 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 3 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and clouds with a chance of flurries, trace accumulations. 5 to 15 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Wednesday
Clear. 5 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
