Recent widespread large avalanche activity indicates an unstable snowpack.
Continue to make conservative terrain choices as remote-triggering remains a serious concern.
Weak layers from January persist within the upper 100 cm of snow. These layers are expected to become more reactive with the added stress of warming temperatures.
A combination of new snow, wind, and mild temperatures have formed reactive storm slabs at all elevations. Slabs could be particularly touchy in wind-loaded features and may be wet at lower elevations
Over the last few days, numerous small to large (up to size 3) natural and human triggered avalanches were reported at various elevation bands and aspects. Some involved just the recent storm snow, but others failed up to 100 cm deep, on a persistent weak layer buried in late January. Some avalanches at treeline and below became wet and entrained a lot of debris.
Strong evidence indicate storm slabs and persistent weak layers remain primed for human triggering.
A recent storm deposited 30 to 50 cm of snow across the region. Southwesterly winds enhanced reactivity in wind-affected terrain, forming sensitive storm slabs on leeward slopes. In wind-sheltered areas, storm slabs may rest on facets or surface hoar, while in other locations, they sit atop a widespread crust. Beneath the storm snow, the upper snowpack is weak and faceted, with poor bonding to a persistent weak layer of surface hoar or crust, depending on the aspect. This layer, buried in late January, is found 50 to 100 cm deep across the region. Otherwise, the mid and lower snowpack remains well-settled and strong.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow, possible light rain below 1700 m. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 2100 m.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2300 m.
Saturday
Sunny. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level falling to near valley bottom overnight, then rising to 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
