Reactive wind slabs may exist at upper elevations. Pay attention to changing conditions with elevation and aspect.
Expect to find freshly wind-loaded features that may be reactive to human triggers as snowfall and westerly winds create wind slabs in lee features in the alpine and treeline.
Cornices have grown significantly in the past two weeks. Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridge-lines and minimize overhead exposure to large cornices.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Snowing, trace to 10 cm of accumulation. Moderate to strong westerly winds. 1800 m freezing level dropping to 500 m.
SUNDAY: Partially cloudy with the potential for scattered flurries. Light to moderate westerly winds. Freezing level rising to 1400 m in the afternoon.
MONDAY: Cloudy with light flurries, up to 5 cm of accumulation. Light to moderate southwesterly winds. Freezing level rising to 1500 m in the afternoon.
TUESDAY: Mainly cloudy, light flurries. Moderate to strong westerly winds. Freezing level rising to 3000 m in the afternoon.
Wind slab avalanches are possible in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline.
A natural cycle occurred during Tuesday's storm. The cycle involved many size 2 storm slab avalanches at upper elevations and wet loose avalanches below treeline. Storm snow was still reactive to explosives on Friday and Thursday, but looking forward avalanches will be most likely on wind-loaded slopes.
10-15 cm of recent snowfall overlies 20 to 40 cm of heavy powder at upper elevations, while warm temperatures have left moist and crusty surfaces below roughly 1800 m. The upper snowpack contains several crust layers, and the snow is well bonded to these crusts.
