Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. Although triggering slabs on deeply buried weak layers is unlikely under the current conditions, we'll be avoiding rocky start zones and thick to thin transitions for the remainder of the season.
With less than 10 cm of new snow expected, if a wind slab problem exists it will be confined to isolated pockets in the alpine.
No new avalanche observations.
On Monday, a couple of large, deep avalanches were observed in the alpine near Haines Pass. A size 3 on a northeast aspect was thought to have run during a wind event last Sunday, and a size 2.5 on a south aspect was thought to have been triggered by strong sun early in the week. These have been isolated occurrences so far but may be a sign of things to come as the spring warms up.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
A dusting of new snow falls over wind-pressed surfaces in the alpine and crust on solar aspects around treeline. Soft older snow may be found in shady, wind-sheltered areas. At Haines Pass, 5-15 cm of snow sits over a rain crust below 1300 m.
Weaknesses in the mid and lower snowpack are unlikely to produce avalanches under the current conditions. A weak layer of surface hoar/crust/facets buried in early January is now over 1 m deep in most areas, and has not produced avalanche activity for several weeks. The lower snowpack consists of basal facets, particularly in thin snowpack areas.
Thursday night
2-5 cm of new snow. Moderate southerly wind. Alpine low -9 °C.
Friday
2-5 cm of new snow. Moderate southeast wind. Alpine high -5 °C.
Saturday2-5 cm of new snow. Light southeast wind. Alpine high -6 °C.
SundayA mix of sun and cloud. Light southwest wind. Alpine high -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
