Weather Forecast
A high pressure ridge over the southern interior continues to prevent any significant moisture. Cloud bringing flurries and light rain can be expected. Temperatures have risen and will continue to do so into Wednesday. Forecast models indicate freezing levels to hover between 1500m today rising to 1700m by Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
Firm crust below treeline at the surface. In open areas, wind has created variable conditions ranging from wind deposited powder, to breakable crust. Pockets of touchy wind slab up to 20cm deep exist near ridge line. Recently buried surface hoar with variable distribution is down ~15cm. This sits just above the Feb 14 crust which is ~5-10cm thick.
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanches have been observed yesterday.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.