Substantial precipitation in March combined with mild temperatures has meant a lengthy time period of increased avalanche hazard. Don't let your guard down yet, cooling temperatures is needed before stability can improve.
Weather Forecast
A low pressure system is forecast to move across Rogers Pass today, shedding 10-15cm of precipitation (snow or rain depending on elevation), FL rising to 1800m and blustery wind from the south. Flurries/showers tonight into early tomorrow than the start of a high pressure pushes through for Friday.
Snowpack Summary
Spring crusts are stacking up: March 27 CR is down 15cm, March 19 CR is down 35cm, March 16 CR is down 60cm and the Feb 19 CR is down 150cm @ TL. These layers are potential sliding surfaces as loose wet or moist slab avalanches. Storm slabs in the alpine will be a major concern today especially this afternoon.
Avalanche Summary
Yesterday we observed one size 2 avalanche in the highway corridor on steep, unsupported Nth facing terrain in the alpine and one glide avalanche size 2 below tree line on a south aspect. On Monday when the sun came out in the afternoon a small loose wet cycle started to size 2 on steep, solar asp.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.