Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Sea To Sky.
Confidence
Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Monday
Weather Forecast
Synopsis: The trough that delivered snow through the weekend is starting to weaken, giving way to sunny skies and seasonably cool temperatures.Monday: Freezing Level: 1300 - 1600m; Precipitation: Nil; Wind: Treeline: Light, E | Ridgetop: Light, SETuesday: Freezing Level: 1400 - 1700m; Precipitation: Nil; Wind: Treeline: Light, Variable | Ridgetop: Light, NWWednesday: Freezing Level: 1300m - 1500m; Precipitation: Trace; Wind: Treeline: Light, W | Ridgetop: Light, W
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday avalanches ran naturally and were triggered by riders to size 2. New snow resting on a thin melt freeze crust was quite reactive. Reports from Saturday included remote triggering at this interface. All avalanche activity from Saturday was limited to the surface. We did not receive reports of any activity or step down events to the older persistent weak layers.
Snowpack Summary
The weekend storm produced 15 - 70 cm of new snow. Below 2100m , on all aspects, this snow rests on thin melt freeze crust that was very reactive on Saturday. (The exception is north facing terrain above 1500m where the crust is not present.) The first part of the storm was accompanied by strong southerly winds that formed Isolated wind slabs immediately below ridge crest. This snow adds additional load to the mid March surface hoar / crust interface, now down 80 - 110cm. The bond at this interface is improving making it less susceptible to human triggering.The early-March crust/facet layer is down about 100-150 cm and the early February layer is now down close to 200 cm. These layers are largely dormant at this time.The lower snowpack is strong and well settled.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 4
Deep Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 3 - 6