Expect conditions to be very aspect dependant. It is Winter on Northerly aspects with dry snow and very large cornices. And it is Spring on Southerly aspects with moist snow above old crusts.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
Overnight and Saturday: Mostly clear overnight with alpine temperatures dropping down to -13.0. Light Easterly or Northeasterly winds are expected. Freezing levels rising to about 1200 metres during the day.Sunday: A ridge of High pressure will be centered over the Interior ranges bringing Light Southwest winds and daytime highs of about -6.0 in the alpine. Strong solar radiation and freezing levels rising to about 1400 metres.Monday: The ridge is expected to move Eastwards during the day, but mostly sunny conditions should continue during the day.
Avalanche Summary
There were many skier controlled and skier accidental avalanches up to size 1.5 that were reported on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
Moist snow may be found on solar aspects up to about 2200 metres. New melt/freeze crusts are developing due to cold clear nights and strong solar radiation during the day. The recent storm amounts are between 40-80 cms at higher elevations. Strong winds overnight and early Wednesday morning developed thick pockets of wind slab at higher elevations. Cooling temperatures have promoted bonding to the moist snowpack at lower elevations. New cornice growth is reported to be extensive and weak. Expect natural cornice falls that may trigger weak layers that are buried down a metre or more on slopes below. The new storm load may trigger the March 10th weak surface hoar layer.
triley,
Avalanche Canada
