South Rockies

Stormy weather continues to keep the avalanche danger elevated. Avoid overhead hazards like cornices and steep cliffs where the snow may be weak.

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

Overnight: Freezing levels remaining above 2200 metres, strong southwest winds, and 2-5 mm of precipitation. Wednesday: Freezing levels around 2000 metres during the day, strong southwest winds, and 5-8 mm of precipitation. Thursday: Daytime freezing level around 1500 metres, moderate southwest winds, and periods of flurries or light snow. Friday: Freezing to valley bottoms, light southwest winds, and mostly sunny with strong solar radiation.

Wind slabs are expected to continue to develop in the alpine above the high freezing levels. At lower elevations, snow may be moist or wet and release easily in pockets of loose wet snow. The possibility of deep persistent avalanches continues during this period of warm and stormy weather.

A warm, wet, and windy storm will form fresh wind slabs at higher elevations while rain with fall below treeline. March has delivered regular storms with roughly 50-90 cm of snow sitting above crust and facet interfaces from February. In some areas the snow above these interfaces may have a poor bond. The mid-pack in this region is generally strong, but the bottom third of the snowpack is composed of weak sugary facets roughly 1-1.5 metres deep. This remains a concern and should be on your radar, especially with the recent loading and ongoing warming.