Microwave-Sinclair

Carefully assess for wind slab as you travel.
Human triggered wind slabs are likely and may propagate widely.

Moderate

• We are uncertain due to how buried persistent weak layers will react with the forecast weather.

Our field team has observed natural wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5 on northeast aspects over the past couple days. These avalanches have run far and in some cases features have reloaded and avalanched a second time.
Please post any photos or observations to the MIN if you head out.

up to 30 cm of new snow may have accumulated. This new snow was accompanied by strong to extreme southwest wind, forming deeper deposits on north and east aspects. Windward slopes may be scoured back to an old crust.

Two prominent layers exist in the snowpack:

·        A layer of facets from early February down around 40 cm.

·         A thick crust from late January down 50 to 100 cm

The remainder of the snowpack is well settled.

Friday Night
Mostly clear skies. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 5 cm of snow at treeline. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
• Avalanches could start at higher elevations and travel into below treeline terrain.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.