Continue to make conservative terrain choices. Storm snow overlies a prominent weak layer on all aspects and elevations.
Check out the new Forecaster Blog "Keeping a Conservative Mindset"
30 to 60 cm of storm snow and southwest winds have formed slabs in lee terrain features. New snow is bonding poorly to surfaces below. Back off if you signs of instability: whumphing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches.
On Monday, a size 2, natural storm slab avalanche was observed on a north facing slope at 2100 m. The avalanche ran on a weak layer buried at the end of January.
Numerous skier-triggered, size 1, loose dry avalanches were reported. Backcountry users continue to note cracking and whumphing while traveling through terrain at all elevations.
Storm snow totals range from 30 to 60 cm. Deeper deposits are found in wind-loaded areas. The new snow is bonding poorly to old surfaces, which include melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes, surface hoar or facets on shaded slopes, and wind-affected snow in exposed terrain.
A weak layer of surface hoar buried, 30 to 80cm deep, has been the culprit of many natural and human-triggered avalanches this week. Where this layer is preserved it will remain reactive to human triggering.
The lower snowpack is strong and bonded.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy with a chance of flurries, 1 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 3 cm of snow. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Friday
Mainly sunny. 10 to 15 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
