Exercise caution as you transition into wind exposed terrain, new snow combined with southwest winds have promoted wind slab development at upper elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods / northwest wind, 10-20 km/h / alpine low temperature near -10THURSDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / southwest wind, 10-25 km/h / alpine high temperature near -7 / freezing level 1400 mFRIDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / southwest winds 10-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -5 / freezing level 1600 mSATURDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / southwest winds, 10-25 km/h / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1900 m
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, there were preliminary reports of several natural and explosives triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 2, and a few human triggered loose snow avalanches to size 1.5.On Tuesday, there were reports of several size 1 human triggered wind slab and loose snow avalanches, as well as natural and explosives triggered loose snow avalanches up to size 2.On Monday, there were reports of a few size 1 human triggered wind slab avalanches, and one natural size 2 wind slab avalanche on a northwest aspect at 2600 m.
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.
kdevine,
Avalanche Canada
