Buried weak layers remain possible to be triggered by riders, where they exist. Cornices and sun-exposed slopes will deteriorate during the heat of the day, potentially increasing the likelihood of avalanche activity.
Cornices will weaken with sunny skies and relatively mild air temperature. The snow on sun-exposed slopes may also weaken, so use caution during the heat of the day.
Two persistent weak layers exist in the snowpack:
These layers could be triggered by riders anywhere they still exist. A warm and sunny Monday may increase the likelihood of triggering these layers.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light snowfall then clearing, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 30 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -8 C.
MONDAY: Clear skies, 10 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level rising to 1500 m.
TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 20 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C.
WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with afternoon snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 20 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -8 C.
No avalanches were observed on Saturday or Sunday, besides some small loose dry out of steep alpine terrain. The most recent avalanche activity was observed on Friday, where wet loose avalanches, cornices, and persistent slab avalanches were triggered by riders and explosives.
Previous warm air temperature followed by a re-freeze created a crust on the snow surface in many areas, which is covered by a dusting of fresh snow. Dry snow may still be found on north aspects at upper elevations. Wind slabs are likely still present on northerly aspects in the alpine and at treeline elevations.
Up to 50 cm of snow sits above a variety of old interfaces that formed in mid-February. There is 60-100 cm sitting on a persistent weak layer that was buried in late January. These interfaces are mostly made up of sugary faceted grains, hard wind pressed snow, feathery surface hoar in wind-sheltered locations, and a melt-freeze crust on steep solar aspects. Periodic avalanches continue to be triggered on these layers. Check out this MIN for photos of the positioning of the layers in the snowpack.
