Avoid large, steep and open slopes at higher elevations where persistent weak layers are more likely to be triggered.
Variable winds have likely redistributed recent snow on to many aspects. Wind slabs will be most reactive where they overlay a buried surface hoar layer. Expect locally variable wind effects.
Surface hoar and facets buried in the upper snowpack has produced recent avalanche activity. Large loads or step down avalanches may initiate avalanches on the deeper buried February layer.
On Sunday, several slab avalanches were human triggered to size 2 on all aspects at alpine elevations on the early March surface hoar, or in wind loaded snow.
Looking forward, we expect persistent weak layers to remain triggerable in specific features.
Exposed terrain holds variable, wind-affected surfaces, while soft snow remains in sheltered areas. Due to variable winds, wind slabs may be present on multiple aspects.
Two layers of concern currently exist in the upper-mid snowpack. Surface hoar on a crust can be found 40 to 80 cm deep. This layer has been reactive where a slab has consolidated above. And a layer of facets, surface hoar and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 60 to 120 cm deep.
The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated with no current concerns.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 40 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 50 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C as freezing levels rise to 1200 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with up to 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C as freezing levels rise to 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
