The recent storm snow has been most reactive to human triggers on solar aspects where the new snow is sitting on crust and/or in wind effected terrain.
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly clear / Light to moderate, westerly winds / Alpine low -12 / Freezing level below valley bottom.FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high 0 / Freezing level 1600 m.SATURDAY: Sunny / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high 2 / Freezing level 1800 m.SUNDAY: Sunny / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high 4 / Freezing level 2200 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, numerous naturally triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5 and a few human triggered wind slabs up to size 1.5, were reported primarily on easterly aspects at treeline and above.
Snowpack Summary
15-30 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. There are up to three layers of surface hoar that were buried in January and February. These layers are around 50 to 90 cm deep and are most prominent at lower elevations. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanches on these layers are infrequent, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks, large open glades and south facing slopes.The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.