We are expecting to see large destructive avalanches this week.
Now is a good time to stay out of the backcountry.
Two persistent weak layers are buried down ~ 130 and 170 cm. These layers are of great concern with the incoming load this week. Use caution in thin snowpack areas that are not typically skied, and limit exposure to open paths that have not recently produced large avalanches.
Heavy snowfall with warm temps and strong winds will create a widespread storm slab problem. High freezing levels means the snow will eventually turn to rain which will further destabilize the upper snowpack.
We expect a significant, destructive series of natural avalanche cycles this week.
Size 1.5 skier triggered wind slab was reported on MacDonald West shoulder Friday.
Neighbouring operations are still reporting sporadic, persistant slab natural avalanche activity up to sz 3.
Information on how to deal with persistent slab problems, see the Avalanche Canada blog post.
In the Alpine and at Treeline, 50-1000cm of storm snow has fallen since Mar 8. Moderate to strong southerly winds have loaded lee features in exposed terrain.
Below treeline, 20-30 cm of storm snow covers the Mar 8 rain crust, which is present up to ~1850m.
The Feb 9 and Jan 26 surface hoar (SH) layers are now buried 110-170cm deep. The Jan 26th layer is a crust with either surface hoar (up to 40mm in some places!) or facets on top of it.
An atmospheric river will impact the region. Expect warm temps, heavy snow mixed with rain and strong winds
Tonight Snow, 11cm. Alpine low -0°C. Freezing level (FZL) 2000m. Wind SW 15 gusting 65km/h
Tues Wet snow mixed with rain, 13cm. High 2°C. Wind SW 15 gusting 55km/h. FZL 2400m.
Wed Mix of heavy rain/snow, 30cm. High 2°C. Wind SW 15 gusting 60km/h. FZL 2400m
Thurs Snow, 20-25cms. FZL 2600m. Wind SW 15-60km/h
