The primary concern is for newly formed wind slabs at upper elevations.
Avoid steep slopes with areas of denser, wind-blown snow.
Small but reactive wind slabs have been reported on various aspects in the region. Keep an eye out for changing slab properties (fluffy light snow turning to stiffer more cohesive snow) as you travel at or near ridgetops or on steep slopes.
A couple persistent weak layers of surface hoar may be found 60 to 100 cm deep in parts of the region. They are most likely to be triggered on steep slopes in wind-sheltered terrain around treeline.
On Dec 19th, small but very reactive wind slabs were reported in the MIN.
On Dec 18th, the field team reported seeing wind slabs in the Hankin area.
On Dec 17th, a small human-triggered avalanche was reported in the MIN at Hankin. It noted that 20cm of snow had failed over a crust.
Looking forward, we expect wind slabs to remain triggerable on a variety of aspects at upper elevations, especially near ridgetops.
Moderate shifting winds have created wind slabs on various aspects at upper elevations.
In parts of the region within sheltered areas, persistent weak layers of surface hoar are buried 50 to 100 cm deep. The likelihood of triggering these layers is low, but the consequences could be high.
A crust that extends up to around 1400 m, is buried 30 to 50 cm. Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to this crust.
Below 1100 m, the snowpack is still marginal, with many early-season hazards and travel there can be difficult.
Snowpack height varies significantly across the region, but averages around 150 cm deep at treeline, tapering quickly with elevation.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy. 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -21 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -22 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -19 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
