Rising freezing level, potentially up to 2000m could increase avalanche activity at lower elevations on Tuesday. Pay attention to changing snow conditions.
Quality snow is preserved on northerly-facing slopes.
The combination of new snow and 25-35km/hr South West winds will likely be forming fresh wind slabs in the alpine and adding to the girth of the already large cornices.
Although natural avalanche activity has tapered, the Mar 11th sun crust has proved sensitive to skier triggering on steep solar slopes this past week.
Small surface hoar from Mar 7th may also be lingering on Northerly aspects.
Is the season over!?! Many of the parking spots have been left empty, even as the snow continues to fall, delivering amazing conditions.
Tuesday will be mainly cloudy with isolated flurries with continued 20-30km/hr South West winds. The freezing level may rise up to 2000m as a warm front passes through the region. 10-15cm of snow on Wednesday.
10-25cm of new snow over the last few days accompanied by moderate SW winds has likely built pockets of wind slab in the alpine. The Mar 11 sun crust is buried 50-70cm . On shaded aspects, spotty small surface hoar may be buried down ~70cm (March 7), down 90cm (Feb 26), and >1m (Feb 15). The mid to lower snowpack is settled and strong.
On Sunday, several slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed from steep terrain along the highway corridor, likely being triggered by the strong South winds.
The freezing level is forecasted to rise up to 1800-2000m over the next few days which could increase avalanche activity at lower elevations.
