Wind slabs may sit on a weak interface. Caution around wind loaded features in the alpine and on convexities at upper treeline elevations.
Small inputs of new snow and wind will form fresh wind slabs in lees of exposed alpine terrain. Older wind slabs may sit over a weak interface, particularly around treeline.
Wednesday: 2 to 10 cm new snow. Moderate southwest wind. Freezing level 1000 m.
Thursday: 2 to 10 cm new snow. Moderate west wind. Freezing level 1400 m.
Friday: Mix of sun and cloud. Light southwest wind. Freezing level 1600 m.
Saturday: 2 to 5 cm new snow. Light southwest wind. Freezing level 1400 m.
Small point releases were observed in steep rocky south facing terrain around treeline Wednesday.
Reports from Monday include a natural wind slab avalanche cycle to size 2, as well as skier controlled, accidental and remotely triggered storm slabs size 1-2 on northeast aspects in the alpine and upper treeline. This MIN post includes a photo of a skier triggered wind slab.
New snow falls over 20-40 cm of settling snow which may overly surface facets, isolated patched of surface hoar in sheltered areas or sun crusts on solar aspects. Wind affect in the alpine is extremely variable, with reports ranging from minimal soft slab development to wind scoured surfaces and hard slabs. Soft snow is well preserved on sheltered shady aspects.
Faceted snow and crusts exist near the base of the snowpack in much of the region. This layer is has been dormant recently.
