While the persistent slab activity is slowing, it is not gone.
It is less likely to be triggered in areas where a surface crust exists.
The persistent weak layer has recently produced several large to very large avalanches. It remains a concern where there is no thick, supportive crust near the surface.
Thurs: No new avalanches were reported, but snowpack tests done by our field team east of Elkford suggest that the persistent weak layer is still triggerable by humans.
Looking forward: Avalanches on buried weak layers may be difficult to trigger, but if one is triggered, it is likely to be large and destructive.
5-10 cm of recent snow covers a widespread melt-freeze crust up to 20 cm thick that exists at all elevations on slopes facing the sun, and on all aspects below treeline. Westerly winds formed slightly deeper, denser pockets in leeward terrain. These wind slabs are likely starting to bond to the crust below.
The main feature of the region's overall shallow snowpack is a persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets from late January now buried 40 to 80 cm deep. This layer was the cause of several avalanches last week.
Saturday Night
Mainly cloudy, with up to 2 mm mixed precipitation in the west of the region. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 2000 m.
Sunday
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries beginning late in the day. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 2000 m.
Monday
Mainly cloudy, with up to 10 cm of snow overnight. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m through the day.
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy, with up to 4 cm new snow, primarily in the west of the region. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m through the day.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
