Buried weak layers have proven they're still very much with us. With new snow problems stacking ontop, this the time for conservative decisions.
Multiple weak layers are present between roughly 80 and 180 cm deep. Large, destructive avalanches continue to be triggered on these layers.
New snow is most likely to be reactive to riders in wind-loaded features and as loose dry sluffing in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
During the storm on the weekend, a widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred. These included storm slabs size 2-3 and persistent slabs size 3-3.5 on all aspects and elevations.
On Monday, numerous persistent slab avalanches size 3-3.5 were triggered in extensive explosive control work throughout the region. This scary MIN report from the Esplanades describes several very large persistent slab avalanches remotely triggered by riders from hundreds of meters away.
Convective snowfall accumulations are likely be greatest at high elevations. 15-60 cm of dry snow accumulates over firm surfaces including a crust which extends up to 1800 m in the north and 2200 m in the south.
Three problematic layers in the mid-snowpack remain suspect.
One or two surface hoar layers buried in February are found 60 to 120 cm deep. In some areas these sit on a thin crust.
A deeper, widespread layer buried in late January, made up of surface hoar, facets, and/or a crust, sits 100 to 180 cm deep. Surface hoar within this layer is most preserved and largest in sheltered terrain at treeline and below.
Distribution and timing of convective snowfall is highly uncertain.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 40 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
