Head to lower elevation, sheltered terrain to find the best conditions and avoid avalanche problems.
Wind slabs remain the primary concern. Watch for wind effect around ridge crests, convexities and in steep terrain.
Wind slab remains possible to trigger in terrain features that were reverse-loaded by recent outflow winds. Watch for wind loaded features as you move onto south and west facing slopes at higher elevations.
On Thursday solar triggered avalanche activity was observed to size 2. Wind slabs have been reported over the last three days, up to size 2 from natural and human triggers. These occurred on south and west aspects from recent outflow winds.
A size 2.5 naturally triggered slab avalanche was observed at 1750 m, which ran to valley bottom. This is believed to be up to several days old.
Explosive control work produced a size 1.5 persistent slab avalanche on a buried weak layer. A size 2.5 naturally triggered slab avalanche was observed at 1750 m, which ran to valley bottom. This is believed to be up to several days old.
Surface conditions are a mix of very wind affected snow in exposed terrain features, old wind slabs on lee aspects, sun crusts or moist snow on steep solar aspects, and preserved softer snow in sheltered areas.
A layer of small surface hoar or facets is now buried over 80 cm deep. A facet/crust layer formed in late January exists around 150 cm deep. Large avalanches were suspected to have run on this layer in mid February. Triggering these deeper layers may still be possible in places where the snowpack is shallow.
The lower snowpack is generally well consolidated but as you move further inland where the snowpack is thinner, basal instabilities linger.
Friday Night
Cloudy with moderate easterly winds, up to 5 cm is possible. Freezing level below valley bottom.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries bringing a trace of snow. Moderate southeasterly wind. Alpine high -9 ˚C. Freezing level below valley bottom.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries. Moderate southeasterly winds easing. Alpine high -8 ˚C. Freezing level below valley bottom.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. Light southwest wind. Alpine high -5 ˚C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
