Wind slabs remain a concern at upper elevations. Watch for denser, deeper drifts near ridge-crests and rollovers.
Minimize your exposure to cornices and sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day.
Wind slabs may be found on lee features, especially in the north of the region. Pay attention to the pattern of wind-drifting in the terrain where you are traveling and watch for cracking or changes in snow stiffness.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Mainly clear with cloudy periods / light to moderate northeast wind / alpine low temperature near -8
THURSDAY - Mainly sunny / light northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1300 m
FRIDAY - Cloudy with sunny breaks / light to moderate southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1600 m in the north, 2000 m in the south
SATURDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / moderate south wind / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 2300 m
In the north of the region:
There were a few reports of small dry loose avalanches on Monday.
There were several reports of small to large (up to size 2.5) storm slab avalanches releasing naturally on a variety of aspects and elevations during the storm over the past weekend. Small loose dry sluffs were also observed in steep terrain.
In the south of the region:
There were numerous reports of large (size 2-3) natural glide slab avalanches over the past week, including a few more on Monday. Glide slabs are most likely in areas of smooth ground cover such as rock slabs and can be large, involving the full depth of the snowpack. Carefully consider your access/egress routes where they cross under large paths.
Wind slabs can be found on leeward slopes at upper elevations and may still be possible to trigger. Massive cornices exist on ridgelines, which can also act as triggers on slopes below. Solar aspects likely have a crust on the surface.
In the north of the region, a weak layer of facets buried in mid-February may still be found on north aspects near treeline but has been gaining strength. The lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong.
In the south of the region, the mid and lower snowpack is generally well consolidated with no concerns of buried weak layers.
