Avalanche conditions likely vary with elevation. Wind slabs will likely form in the alpine and loose wet activity is possible at lower elevations.
Up to 15cm of new snow and south winds are forecast to arrive in the alpine on Tuesday. This will likely produce sensitive slabs where terrain breaks over steeply at higher elevations. I will once again be approaching these places with caution.
Cornices are large at this time of season. Best practice is to stay well-back from them on ridgelines and limit your exposure travelling beneath them.
Assess for the wetness of the snow surface as you travel, particularly as you transition from alpine to treeline elevations later in the day. Use caution in very steep terrain if the snow surface is wet, and limit your overhead exposure of steep slopes.
MONDAY NIGHT: alpine -2C, wind south 30 km/hr, mostly cloudy, 2cm snow
TUESDAY: alpine low -2C high -2C, wind south 30 km/h, cloudy, 10cm new snow in the alpine, possible rain at highway elevation
WEDNESDAY: alpine low -3C high -1C, wind southeast 20 km/h, partly cloudy, freezing levels 1600m
THURSDAY: alpine low -2C high 2C, wind north 15 km/h, mostly cloudy, light precipitation, 2 to 5 cm accumulation, rain possible at highway elevation later in the day
Small (size 1) skier cut wind slab avalanches were reported on Saturday in the high alpine. A size 1.5 wet slab avalanche was reported on Sunday. This slab released from steep, rocky, south facing terrain and ran into lower angle terrain in the valley.
Above 1600 m, around 20 cm of wind pressed dry snow may be found, which overlies a hard melt-freeze crust or other hard surfaces. Below 1600 m, the upper snowpack is wet from recent rain and warm air. The snowpack is isothermal near highway elevations but has still be supporting travel on sleds and skis.
The lower snowpack in White Pass is deep for this time of year with no layers of concern. Areas further inland, such as the Wheaton Valley, may have a shallower and weaker snowpack.
Cornices are still very large. Recent cold temperatures have kept cornice failures to a minimum but they should always be treated with respect in the spring, especially when the air temperature rises.
