Avalanche hazard will increase as new snow and elevated winds develop a surface instability around the region.
Flurries falling with strong winds are expected to build and develop slabs. Previous wind transport from north winds and incoming westerly winds means that both recent and fresh wind slabs may be found on a wide range of aspects.
A weak layer of surface hoar crystals is buried around 30 to 50 cm in sheltered, shady terrain around treeline. Recent warm conditions have likely promoted bonding of this layer but there is uncertainty about whether it is still a problem.
No new avalanche observations were reported this week, this comes from a very limited observation network.
Looking forward, new snow and wind forecast through Friday are likely to form small but touchy new slabs in leeward terrain, especially near ridgetop.
Thursday night: Cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 10 cm. Alpine low temperature -4 C. Moderate southwest wind.
Friday: Cloudy with scattered flurries, 5-10 cm. Alpine high temperature -4 C. Strong west wind.
Saturday: Flurries and snow, 10-15 cm. Alpine high temperature -5 C. Moderate southwest wind.
Sunday: Flurries and snow, 15-20 cm. Alpine high temperature -6 C. Moderate southwest wind with strong gusts.
Flurries will be quickly impacted by strong winds, redistributing loose snow and building slabs. Surface conditions over the region are likely a mix of recent wind slabs and wind-affected snow as well as melt freeze crust on south aspects and below about 1100 metres.
A weak layer of surface hoar crystals buried early March may be found around 30 to 50 cm deep, particularly in sheltered terrain around treeline. Recent observations of this layer are lacking.
An early-season layer of faceted grains and melt-freeze crust near the base of the snowpack likely lingers in high alpine features. The most suspect locations to trigger this layer would be where the snowpack is thin near rocky outcroppings. Large loads, such as cornice fall, may have the potential to trigger it.
