Use caution in sheltered areas where buried surface hoar or crust layers may exist.Additionally, avalanches may be triggered near ridgetops where wind-affected snow accumulates.
Recent strong winds have come from a variety of directions, transporting snow and forming reactive slabs. Extra caution is recommended at and near ridgetops.
A mix of buried surface hoar, facets and/or crust can be found up to 50 cm deep and remains susceptible to human-triggering. This layer has been most problematic on northerly slopes and in sheltered terrain at treeline.
Several natural, rider and explosive-triggered avalanches occurred over the last week. Notably, a large avalanche triggered by skiers occurred on Saturday. Check this MIN for details.All the recent avalanches were either wind slabs or persistent slabs failing on the weak layers described in the snowpack summary.
While natural avalanche activity is expected to taper off, the chance of rider-triggered avalanches is expected to persist into the following week.
All exposed terrain at treeline and above is highly wind affected by recent strong winds from variable directions.
In sheltered terrain, a new layer of surface hoar is forming on the surface and a sun crust may be found on steep south and west-facing slopes.
A layer of surface hoar and/or facets may be found buried 20-30 cm in sheltered terrain.
A crust from late January can be found down 20-50 cm.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy, no precipitation, 10 km/h southwest alpine wind, treeline temperature -1°C, freezing level dropping to 600 m.
Monday
Cloudy north of the Nass Valley, a mix of sun and cloud in the south, trace amounts of snow, 10-15 km/h variable alpine wind, treeline temperature 0°C to -3°C, chance of above freezing layer in southern parts of the region.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and clouds, no precipitation, 10-20 km/h northwesterly alpine wind, treeline temperature -6°C, chance of above freezing layer in southern parts of the region.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, no precipitation, 15-20 km/h westerly alpine wind, treeline temperature 3°C to -3°C, chance of above freezing layer in southern parts of the region.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
