The recent storm snow may still be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind-loaded terrain. Use extra caution at higher elevations where there is no rain crust near the surface.
The recent storm snow from Friday is expected to remain reactive to human triggering at higher elevations, especially in wind loaded areas.
On Friday, this MIN report includes observations of recent wind slab avalanches on north through east aspects around treeline.
Between Monday and Thursday, a widespread avalanche cycle occurred. The reported avalanches have been large to very large (as big as size 4). These avalanches have been a mix of slab and loose, dry and wet.
Recent snowfall amounts throughout the region have been variable; 5-30 cm of new snow on Friday brings the totals to 25-60 cm of settling storm snow. Rain saturated the upper snowpack at and below treeline last week, with moist surface snow reaching as high as 2000 m in the alpine for some parts of the region. Now that temperatures are dropping, expect to find a new crust buried under Friday's snow everywhere but the high alpine.
A thick crust buried earlier in March can be found down 50 to 80 cm at treeline and below. The early February crust can be found down 100-160 cm. We are not currently concerned about these layers.
The remainder of the snowpack is well settled and bonded.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
