Check for reactive wind slabs in steep terrain near ridgetops.
These slabs may exist on all aspects due to recent variable wind directions.
Strong wind from variable directions in some parts of the region has formed wind slabs on slopes adjacent to ridges. Assess for slab properties before entering steep terrain.
On Wednesday, two naturally triggered size 1 wind slabs were observed on east aspects at treeline. Several dry loose sluffs were also observed.
On Tuesday, a few small to large (size 1 to 2) wind slabs were triggered both by people and naturally. They were 20 to 40 cm thick and occurred on north to east aspects at treeline and alpine elevations.
Looking forward, it remains possible for riders to trigger similar avalanches.
Wind from variable directions has likely formed wind slabs and a wind-affected snow surface on all aspects in wind-exposed terrain.
In sheltered terrain, 30 to 60 cm of snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust from early February. Below this, a layer of surface hoar, facets, and/or crust from late January is buried around 100 cm. Neither of these layers is presently a problem.
The remainder of the snowpack is consolidated with no layers of concern.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear skies. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
