6:30 AM Update: 20 cm of recent snow with wind may form new slabs at higher elevations.
Use good travel habits and carefully assess for wind slab danger before entering a large, steep slope.
Wind slabs may remain reactive if they rest on a hard, slick, buried crust, although a lack of recent avalanche activity suggests that this interface may be gaining strength.
On Friday a very large slab avalanche was reported in the 10 km riding area near the Coquhalla summit. The MIN may have been meant to post earlier in March though, based on the submission date and the weak layer mentioned.
If you are heading into the backcountry, consider sharing your observations and posting a MIN.
Expect to find 20 cm of recent snow overlying 30-50 cm of settling snow (possibly moist or containing other thin crusts) above a widespread, thick, hard and smooth crust that exists everywhere except the highest alpine terrain.
Steep south facing slopes may be crusty or moist depending on time of day and sun exposure.
Due to consistent wind through last week's storm, expect the snow above the crust to be deeper in leeward terrain, exceeding 2 meters in some terrain features.
The lower snowpack is generally strong and bonded.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 25 km/h west ridgetop wind, dropping to 15 through the night. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing level falling to valley bottom.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 15 km/h to calm northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high -6 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
