Use extra caution around slopes exposed to the sun and high elevation terrain that has been wind affected.
Recent (and ongoing) southwest winds are likely forming wind slabs at upper elevations. Previous variable winds may mean that wind slabs could be found on all aspects. The most reactive ones are likely to be found on northerly aspects.
60-100 cm of snow sits on a persistent weak layer of facets that was buried in mid-February. The late January persistent weak layer is down 70-120 cm. Though avalanches on these layers has been sporadic, they have been large.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, moderate southwest wind, treeline temperatures drop to -6 C.
WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, moderate southwest wind, freezing level climbs to 1500 m with treeline temperatures around -3 C.
THURSDAY: Mostly sunny, moderate south wind, freezing level climbs to 1900 m with treeline temperatures around 0 C.
FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with some isolated flurries, moderate south wind, freezing level climbs to 1700 m with treeline temperatures around -2 C.
Since the storm and associated avalanche cycle eased off early last week, there have been daily reports of natural and explosives-triggered avalanches between size 1-3, and human-triggered avalanches between size 1-2. The size and frequency of these avalanches have decreased slightly each day since the storm ended.
The following are reports of a few notable avalanches from the past week:
There is around 60-100 cm of now sitting on a persistent weak layer of facets that was buried in mid-February. Deep wind deposits and wind slabs exist in the alpine and open treeline areas.
There is 80-120 cm of snow above the late January persistent weak layer which is composed of surface hoar in sheltered areas in the trees and/ or a crust on steep solar aspects. Very isolated activity on this layer has been observed in the past few weeks.
