Rider triggered avalanches are possible at moderate hazard. Test for reactivity of lingering wind slabs and a mid-February persistent weak layer.
Mod/strong SW winds during the weekend storm have flipped to mod/strong N'ly winds, thus distributing wind slabs on all aspects. Use caution at ridge crests, lee features, and open exposed, cross-loaded slopes at Treeline and above.
~60cm of snow and variable mod/strong winds have formed slabs, burying the Feb 15 persistent weak layer (surface hoar, 2-8mm, or a crust on steep solar aspects). The SH is more prevalent at Treeline and below, whereas the crust exists into the Alpine
Temperatures are gradually warming, bringing some clouds and isolated flurries, a storm is approaching on Saturday.
Tonight: Cloudy possible flurries, -19*C, light N winds
Thurs: Sun and cloud, Alp high -13*C, light NW winds
Fri: Mix of sun/cloud, Alp high -14*C, light SW winds
Sat: Mix of sun/cloud and flurries, Alp high -11*C, light SW winds
Lingering and reactive windslabs from strong Nly winds exist at all elevations in open, exposed terrain. Cold temps are working to soften these slabs. The Feb 15 surface hoar/solar crust is down 50-80cm and most problematic at and below Treeline.
We observed natural avalanches on Tuesday up to size 2.5. These were mostly wind slabs, with a couple solar triggered avalanches.
Numerous public reports this week of human triggered avalanches failing below surface wind slabs and on the Feb 15 SH/Crust layer. Size 2 partial burial on Avalanche Crest, Vaux Moraine, wind slabs on Cougar Creek East.
