Stay vigilant, as conditions may change rapidly if the March sun comes out.
Expect significant variability based on elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind and sun.
Recent snow and wind have created fresh wind slabs. Use caution as you transfer into wind-affected terrain, as these slabs are still reactive to riders.
Small wet loose avalanches will be likely on steep sun-exposed slopes. Avoid overhead hazard from steep sunny faces during the warmest parts of the day.
Numerous wind slabs (size 1) were easily triggered by skiers on lee treeline features near Thar Peak and several loose wet avalanches (up to size 1.5) were sun-induced on steep southerly slopes during the weekend on the Coquihalla.
Thanks for sharing your observations via the MIN if you are going out into the backcountry.
The region received 15 to 25 cm this past weekend, totaling up to 75 cm of recent storm snow, which is settling out rapidly. This sits above a crust on all aspects except on high, north-facing alpine terrain.
Variable conditions exist at upper elevations, from windswept to crusty surfaces, and deeper pockets of storm snow on lee slopes. Southerly slopes have been sun-affected and moist and/or heavy snow can be found.
A layer of facets and surface hoar that formed in February has been found 90 to 150 cm down, and a layer of facets and surface hoar from late January can be found down to 130 to 190 cm. No recent notable test results have been seen on these layers.
Monday Night
Cloudy with isolated convective flurries. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 500 m.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of new snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing level 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
