Watch for wind slabs in alpine and treeline areas, and be mindful of the solar input on sunny aspects. The snowpack is slowly transitioning to Spring conditions, but has a ways to go yet.
Wind slabs (recently buried) exist in the upper snowpack that feel drummy and cakey in some areas. Be aware of the potential for wide propagations. Take the time to dig down and evaluate the interfaces in each specific terrain feature.
Despite the strong heat not much activity has been observed on this interface. However, recent skier triggered activity indicate that it should still be very much in your mind as you travel.
Intense solar radiation at this time of year can quickly elevate avalanche activity on solar aspects. Time your exposure to these slopes to avoid the heat of the day. With more cloud cover expected on Wednesday, this problem should be less active.
Some pin-wheeling was observed on solar aspects around the Bow Valley today. Observations were very limited for the Spray Valley, but no reports have been received of any avalanche activity.
Wednesday will bring mainly cloudy skies with light flurries in the afternoon. Winds will be moderate from the SW and temperatures should reach -5 with freezing levels near 2000m by the afternoon.
A very cold start to the day on Tuesday kept the new crusts frozen on solar aspects until the afternoon. Expect a few layers of sun crust on SE through W aspects. On non-polar aspects at Treeline and above there are several generations of wind slab in the upper 60 to 80cm of the snowpack. These slabs are highly variable, and it is worth taking the time to dig down and evaluate the snowpack before committing to bigger terrain. Forecasters are still monitoring the Feb 19 and Jan 27 layers.
