Recently formed slabs could still be triggered by riders. Assess for slab properties and signs of instability prior to committing yourself to consequential avalanche terrain.
Recently formed wind slabs could still be triggered by riders. Use caution in steep, wind-affected terrain and look for signs of instability prior to committing yourself.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, 30 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature -10 C.
SUNDAY: Increasing clouds with isolated flurries, 10 to 20 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature -9 C.
MONDAY: Clear skies, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level rising to 1500 m.
TUESDAY: Clear skies, 10 km/h west wind, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level valley-bottom in the morning and rising to 2200 m.
A few small to large (size 1 to 2) avalanches were reported in the north of the region on Friday. Looking forward, wind slabs could still be triggered by riders. They may be found on all aspects due to the varying wind direction.
Around 20 to 40 cm of recent snow fell with southwest and easterly wind, likely forming wind slabs in exposed terrain at higher elevations. The snow may have settled into storm slabs in sheltered terrain. The snow likely overlies a hard melt-freeze crust everywhere except on north aspects above 1700 m.
Recent weather patterns have helped deeper weak layers gain strength, including the mid-February facet layer that is roughly 150 cm deep. However, it may still be possible to trigger avalanches on basal layers in shallow rocky terrain along the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
