Storm slabs sit over a weak layer and are easily triggerable by riders.
Storm slabs sit over a weak layer and remain triggerable by riders. The most likely places to trigger an avalanche are in wind-loaded lee terrain features just below ridgetops and convex rolls.
Over the weekend, numerous storm slab avalanches were reported, failing on a crust or facet layer beneath the storm snow. Most were artificially triggered by humans or explosives, size 1-2. Some were triggered remotely or sympathetically. The deepest crowns were on wind-loaded northerly aspects just below ridgetop.
30 to 50 cm of snow fell over the weekend. Generally, snow quality has been excellent, with some redistribution near ridgetops from previous southwest wind.
This recent snow is bonding poorly to an underlying weak layer formed during the January drought. Depending on aspect and elevation, the layer may exist as a hard crust, faceted grains and/or surface hoar.
The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and bonded with no other layers of concern.
Sunday night
Cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.
Wedneday
Sunny. Calm. Treeline temperature -14 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
