Convective flurries are creating variable conditions across the region. Human triggered avalanches remain possible.
Continually assess as you travel, and look for signs of instability.
Roughly 40 to 50 cm of low density snow is being redistributed by moderate winds in the Ningunsaw area. Elsewhere in the region, there is limited slab properties, loose snow avalanches, and sluff management are more of a concern.
Weak layers remain a concern in this region, especially where there is no supportive crust. Layer depth is variable. Areas where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick, and rocky terrain features should be approached cautiously.
On Tuesday, in the Ningunsaw west of highway 37 a large natural avalanche was reported that sympathetically released a second large avalanche. It is unclear if the release was on a persistent weak layer but the crown depth appeared to be very deep.
Reports of natural activity has tapered, but triggering of avalanches is still possible.
Incremental accumulation of new low density snow - up to 50 cm, with little slab properties overlies a heavily wind affected upper snowpack at treeline and above.
Below treeline a surface crust formed following the March 7 warming event and tapers above roughly 1600 m.
Below this, weak layers of surface hoar, facets and/or crusts remain a concern especially where there is no supportive crust. Triggering of these layers is becoming less likely, but still remain at a depth where human triggering is possible.
The remaining snowpack is generally well settled and well bonded.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
