Slab avalanches are most likely where a firm, cohesive slab exists on the surface.
While loose dry avalanches are possible on steep slopes with loose, unconsolidated snow.
A weak layer buried at the end of January, 20 to 50 cm deep, is most concerning where cohesive slabs have formed above, such as wind slabs or sun-exposed slopes where the solar effect has settled the upper snowpack despite cold temperatures.
On Monday, a few small skier-triggered avalanches (size 1 to 1.5) were reported across the region, primarily on south-facing or solar-affected slopes. These avalanches likely occurred on weak layers of facets and sun crusts roughly 20 to 40 cm below the surface. One of the avalanches was remotely triggered by a skier while approaching a slope from about 10 meters away.
The upper snowpack continues to facet with the current cold, clear, and dry conditions, keeping surface conditions generally soft and low-density. Variable wind effects can be found in exposed terrain at treeline and above due to recent north and downflowing winds.
Various layers buried at the end of January are approximately 20 to 50 cm below the surface. These include sun crusts on sun-affected terrain, surface hoar in shaded terrain at treeline and below, and weak faceted grains elsewhere.
The snowpack remains faceted and weak in places just below these layers following the dry January conditions.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Tuesday Night
Clear skies. 20 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Wednesday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/ southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
