Wind slabs may step down to deeper layers, creating very large avalanches.
Stick to sheltered, conservative terrain for the best and safest riding.
New snow and wind may form fresh, reactive slabs in lee terrain features.
Wind slabs may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger avalanches.
A persistent weak layer is buried 1 - 2 m. This is a low-probability, high-consequence problem. Signs of instability may not be obvious. The best defence is smaller, low-consequence terrain.
On Tuesday, our field team reported a recent cornice-triggered size 3 persistent slab avalanche on a northeast aspect that ran to valley bottom.
Observations are limited in this region. If you are heading into the mountains, please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
Up to 10 cm of new snow will be redistributed by strong southwest winds, creating wind-pressed surfaces and wind slab in exposed alpine terrain. 20 to 40 cm of facetted snow can be found in wind-sheltered areas, and a sun crust likely exists on steep solar slopes.
A thick crust from late January can be found at a wide range of depths, from 75 to 150 cm. Where it is shallowest, facets are most likely to exist above it, and the more problematic it is expected to be.
We do not have concerns about the snowpack below this layer.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
