North Columbia

Fresh storm slabs will be most reactive on leeward slopes at treeline and above. This is the final forecast for the season.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Snow; 5-10 cm, strong southwest winds, alpine low -1 C, freezing level 1500 m.

SUNDAY: Snow; 5-10 cm, strong southwest winds, alpine high 1 C, freezing level 1600 m.

MONDAY: Snow; 5-10 cm, moderate southwest winds, alpine high -1 C, freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light west winds, alpine high -3 C, freezing level valley bottom.

There are currently no professional operations reporting in this region and the data stream is very limited.

Avalanche activity is expected to increase throughout the weekend as new snow amounts increase.

NOTE:We are no longer receiving any professional snowpack observations in this region. The snowpack summary below is based on our most recent observations and weather data.

The recent snow sits on a variety of snow surfaces, consisting of sun crusts, hard wind-affected snow, and soft faceted snow. There have also been reports of surface hoar forming on sheltered, shady slopes. See this MIN for a helpful illustration from nearby Glacier National Park. It will be important to track the depth, cohesiveness, and bond of the new snow to these various old snow surfaces across aspects and elevations where you're travelling.

Cornices are large and looming. Two layers of buried surface hoar may be found buried 20-40 cm deep (March 10) and 60-120 cm deep (February 22). Though there is a low likelihood of triggering an avalanche on these layers, the consequences of doing so would be high. Avalanche activity on the Feb 22 layer was last reported on March 8th.

• Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
• Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
• Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.