Recent storm snow has been redistributed into pockets of wind slab at tree line and in the alpine and may continue to be reactive, particularly in the north of the region. Watch for denser, deeper drifts near ridge-crests and rollovers.
In the north of the region, 30-50 cm of snow has been redistributed by recent strong south winds into wind slabs on lee features. Pay attention to the pattern of wind-drifting in the terrain where you are traveling and watch for cracking or changes in snow stiffness. Triggering large wind slabs on specific features remains possible.
TUESDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 10 cm possible in the far south of the region / light west wind / alpine low temperature near -6
WEDNESDAY - Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries / light north wind / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1000 m
THURSDAY - Mainly sunny / light west wind / alpine high temperature near -5 / freezing level 1200 m
FRIDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / light to moderate southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -2/ freezing level 1500 m
In the north of the region:
There were a few reports of small dry loose avalanches on Monday.
There were several reports of small to large (up to size 2.5) storm slab avalanches releasing naturally on a variety of aspects and elevations during the weekend storm. One of these was thought to have been triggered by a cornice fall. Check out these MIN reports (here and here) from slopes near Chief Pascall. Small loose dry sluffs were also observed in steep terrain.
In the south of the region:
There were numerous reports of large (size 2-3) natural glide slab avalanches over the past week, including a few more on Monday. Glide slabs are most likely in areas of smooth ground cover such as rock slabs and can be large, involving the full depth of the snowpack. Carefully consider your access/egress routes where they cross under large paths.
In the north of the region, 30-50 cm of new snow over the weekend was redistributed by recent strong south winds into wind slabs on leeward slopes that may remain possible to trigger. Massive cornices exist on ridgelines, which can also act as triggers on slopes below. Deeper in the snowpack, a weak layer of facets buried in mid-February may still be found on north aspects near treeline but has been gaining strength. The lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong.
The south of the region received trace accumulations of snow over the weekend with moderate wind. The danger ratings are Moderate, Low, Low, with a concern for small wind slabs. The snowpack is generally well consolidated with no concerns of buried weak layers but recent notable glide avalanche activity.
