Sheltered terrain, out of the wind’s effect, will hold the best snow and the lowest avalanche danger.
Expect the sun to warm new snow and produce new wet loose avalanches rapidly.
New snow has formed a storm slab on all aspect and elevations treeline and above. On slopes leeward to southerly winds expect deposits to be deeper.
Even a small wet loose avalanche can have severe consequences when combined with a terrain trap such as a cliff. Stay aware of your position, as the sun’s effects can be rapid.
No recent avalanches have been reported.
If you are heading into the backcountry, consider sharing your observations and posting a MIN.
30–40 cm of new snow has accumulated at treeline and above so far this week. Expect to find this new snow deeper mid island and south, with the north island seeing lesser amounts. Moderate south or southeast winds will transport it and make deeper, denser deposits in leeward terrain.
Steep south through west facing slopes have a thin, breakable crust that is now down close to 25 cm.
The thick and strong mid-March crust is now expected to be buried by 40-70 cm of mostly settled snow, with the deeper areas being found on the north and west island.
Below this, the rest of the snowpack is wet but well settled and strong.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 5 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 5 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
