Danger may be slightly higher in the southeast part of the region, where more snow fell during the recent storm.
Confidence
Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions
Weather Forecast
Synopsis: Relatively benign weather is anticipated through the forecast period.Monday: Dry with some sunshine. Winds light southwesterly. Treeline temperatures around -8C in the morning warming to -3 in the afternoon.Tuesday: Dry. Cloudy. Calm. Freezing level around 1000 m in the afternoon.Wednesday: Flurries. Light winds. Freezing level around 1000 m in the afternoon.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported recently.
Snowpack Summary
Eastern areas saw 10-15cm new snow in the last storm, while western area just a trace. This new snow overlies old wind slabs on higher north and east facing terrain and sun crusts on solar aspects. Wind slabs are extensive in exposed areas and cornices are reported to be well developed. A surface hoar/facet/sun crust layer from mid February (12th) may be buried in the top 20 cm or so, where it hasn't been blown away by the wind and is likely making some of the wind slabs more touchy. Mid and lower snowpack layers are generally well settled and stable.
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.