Huge changes have impacted the snowpack in the last week and it needs time adjust to the new loads. A careful, cautious approach to assess backcountry conditions needs to be followed to stay safe the next few days.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Today will bring a reprieve from the stormy onslaught. Expect a mix of sun and cloud with flurries, an alpine high of -11*C, and freezing levels staying below 800m. Winds will back off to moderate from the west. More of the same on Monday, with freezing levels rising to 1100m.
Snowpack Summary
An intense front finished off a week of storms yesterday, with heavy rain/snow and extreme SW winds (100+ km/h). A rain crust will be prevalent below ~1600m, and widespread wind and storm slabs have formed at tree-line and alpine elevations. Below this, warm, rapidly settling storm slabs are widespread at all elevations and aspects.
Avalanche Summary
Natural and artillery controlled avalanches to size 4 were observed in the highway corridor yesterday. The biggest avalanche was Macdonald West Shoulder failing simultaneously in 4 start zones, ripping through mature timber and running to the valley floor. We did not patrol the backcountry yesterday, but suspect the same results there.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations