New snow and moderate winds are expected to build fresh storm slabs throughout the day on Saturday.
Storm slabs could step down to deeper layers, creating larger than expected avalanches.
This layer remains a concern in high north facing terrain where the snowpack depth is variable. This layer may become more reactive with the added stress of new snow and wind.
Ongoing snow and wind will build increasingly sensitive storm slabs on Saturday. Back off if you are seeing signs of instability like whumpfing, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
No new avalanches were reported on Friday by 4 pm.
As storm snow accumulates on Saturday, we anticipate an increase in avalanche activity throughout the day as storm slabs grow deeper and become more reactive.
By Saturday morning, 5 to 10 cm of storm snow has accumulated, and an additional 10 to 25 cm of snow is expected through the day. Storm snow covers a crust on all aspects except on high north facing terrain, where new snow buries 5 cm of snow overlying a crust from earlier in March. This second crust likely doesn’t exist above 2100 m.
A layer of facets and surface hoar from mid February can be found down around 40 cm.
Another layer of facets and surface hoar from late January can be found down 60 to 80 cm.
The lower snowpack contain several crusts that are not concerning.
Friday Night
Cloudy with flurries, 5 to 10 cm of snow. 25 to 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with flurries, 10 to 25 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level rises to 1300 m.
Flurries will continue overnight, up to 30 cm of snow.
Sunday
Cloudy with flurries, 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level around 1500 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
