Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Check out the forecaster blog for a detailed conditions update.
A persistent weak layer is buried 80 to 130 cm. This layer remains a concern on shaded upper-elevation northerly through easterly slopes.
Up to 40 cm of recent storm snow combined with southwest winds has formed widespread and reactive storm slabs. This new snow will need a few days to settle and bond.
Thurs: A widespread natural cycle was observed in the Lizard Range with storm slabs up to size 2.5. Explosive control also produced numerous small storm slabs.
Wed: Explosive control produced dry loose and storm slab avalanches to size 2 on north through east facing slopes.
Tues: A natural cycle of small (size 1 to 1.5) storm slab avalanches occurred.
Looking forward: Storm slabs are expected to remain reactive, and may step down to deeper persitstent weak layers.
30 to 40 cm of recent snow combined with southwest winds has formed widespread storm slabs. An additional 2 to 10 cm is expected to fall throughout Saturday. Below 1700 m and on sun-exposed slopes, the storm snow covers a melt-freeze crust. The snow surface may be moist or crusty at lower elevations.
A persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets from late January is buried 90 to 150 cm. This layer triggered large avalanches earlier in March, and remains reactive in snowpack tests. The greatest concern for this weak layer lies in areas where a thick, supportive crust is absent under the new snow - such as on upper-elevation shady slopes. The lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Friday Night
Mostly clear. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy, with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 15 to 30km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy, with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.
Monday
Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
