Heightened avalanche conditions exist in the alpine where the potential for human-triggering weak layers remains possible and stubborn wind slabs are catching users off guard.
Where localized winds have redistributed new snow, cohesive slabs are forming. Small wind slabs have been reactive to skier traffic in steep terrain on a variety of aspects.
A supportive crust exists on all aspects to 2400 m however at higher elevations weak layers deep in the snowpack could still be human-triggered.
Minimize overhead hazard when solar input is strong. Be mindful of sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs or terrain traps.
Anywhere from 15 to 35 cm of dry snow sits atop a widespread, hard crust. In general, the crust is strong and thick enough to be supportive to travel on up to 2400 m where it tapers out.
In the mid and lower snowpack, various weak layers persist in areas, however, triggering any of these layers is unlikely where they are capped by the supportive crust above.
On Wednesday, two skier accidental, size 2, wind slab avalanches were reported on northerly aspects in the alpine. They occurred in steep wind-loaded terrain and released above the crust. See MIN's here and here for details and photos.
On Monday, a MIN from a neighboring region reported a group bootpacking a couloir that triggered size 3 avalanche on a south-facing slope at 2600 m. This is evidence that where the crust isn't present the persistent problem remains a concern.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop winds, treeline temperature -10 °C.
Friday
Mainly clear skies. 10 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Sunday
Partly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm, 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop winds, treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
