Expect a variety of conditions between different elevation bands. As the sun comes out, the hazard could increase so plan your route accordingly.
Moderate, gusty winds and recent snow created fresh wind-slabs. Expect to find this problem most reactive in the lee sides of ridges or cross loaded terrain features in the alpine. Once triggered these avalanches have the potential to run far on the buried crust beneath.
No new natural avalanches were observed in the hwy corridor on Friday.
A field team on Wednesday observed a natural size 2 wind slab avalanche which started at ridge top and ran on north facing terrain. Explosive control on Wed produced a size 1.5 wind-slab from a tree-line slide path.
Over the weekend there was a natural avalanche cycle triggered by strong sun and high freezing levels. All observed avalanches were loose/wet and no bigger than size 2.5.
The upper snowpack consists of a series of laminated crusts from the recent spring like conditions and dry surface snow can be found on polar aspects.
The Feb 3rd crust is the dominant mid-pack layer down ~110cms and still produces isolated planer results when tested.
Below tree-line, the snowpack has gone through a number of melt freeze cycles and is in spring conditions.
The ridge of high pressure breaks up and light precip & unsettled conditions set in with a weak ridge.
Tonight: Clear, Low of -7°C. Nil precip, freezing level at valley bottom.
Sat: Sun w/ cloudy periods, Alp high 2°C, Moderate South winds, FZL 2300m.
Sun: 9cm, high -3.0°C, Mod to Strong West winds, FZL 1500m
Mon: Cloudy with isolated flurries, high -1°C. Light to Moderate West winds, FZL 2100m
