Watch for isolated pockets of stiff wind slab in the alpine from northerly outflow winds.
A surface crust will make for challenging travel conditions but generally safe avalanche conditions.
Northerly outflow winds have created isolated pockets of stiff wind slabs in the alpine. These slabs may be more reactive where they overlie a slick crust and will be in more atypical locations, as northerly winds have created a reverse-loading pattern.
No new avalanches were reported over the weekend.
On Friday, thin but reactive size 1 wind slabs were skier-triggered in steep alpine ridgetop features.
Riders should continue to be cautious around isolated pockets of stiff wind slab at treeline and alpine elevations.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Northerly outflow winds have affected open areas in the alpine and treeline, souring windward slopes and creating pockets of stiff wind slabs in lee areas. A thin breakable crust can be found at or near the surface on all aspects at treeline and above. This crust is thick and supportive below treeline and on steep solar aspects.
A crust from mid-January can be found down 40-70 cm deep. A number of weak layers exist within the mid and lower snowpack but the thick crusts sitting above them make triggering avalanches on these layers unlikely.
The areas of concern in terms of triggering a deeper layer are shallow rocky areas.
Monday night
Cloudy. North winds changing to south at 25 km/h. Temperatures near -10˚C. No precipitation.
Tuesday
Cloudy. Wind from the south at 20 km/h. Temperatures in the alpine near -8˚C. Trace amounts of new precipitation.
Wednesday
Cloudy. Wind from the southwest at 25 km/h. Temperatures in the alpine near -4˚C. 5cm of new snow.
Thursday
Cloudy with a chance of short clear periods. Wind from the southwest at 10 km/h. Temperatures up to -1 in the alpine with freezing levels rising to 1000 m. No new precipitation.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
