If you venture into the high country in search of soft snow, exercise caution in wind-loaded areas. Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the crust below.
Last week's snowfall was accompanied by strong southwest winds, which then shifted to the northeast, forming wind slabs on a variety of aspects in exposed terrain in the alpine and treeline.
On Wednesday, operators in the region reported natural and remotely triggered wind slabs up to size 2.5 on north and west aspects in the alpine. These large remotely triggered avalanches are a strong indicator of an unstable snowpack!
These wind slabs are likely decreasing in reactivity, but riders should continue to be cautious around wind-loaded areas in the alpine and treeline.
At upper elevations, last week's snowfall was redeposited by strong southwest shifting to northeast winds. Below this, small facets have been found that overlie a hard crust. The crust is located on all aspects and at all elevations elevations, except north-facing slopes over 2000 m.
A layer of weak faceted snow above a crust formed in early February is now buried 50 to 120 cm deep. This layer is generally getting stronger and is shielded by crusts above it. It has not produced any recent avalanches.
Saturday Night
Cloudy with clear periods and light flurries. Ridge wind 10 to 30 km/h from the southwest. Treeline temperature drops to -6 °C. Freezing level drops to 1000 m.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with light flurries. Ridge wins 15 to 30 km/h from the southwest. Treeline temperatures reach a high of -5 °C. Freezing level rises to 1500 m.
Monday
Cloudy with precipitation increasing in the afternoon, 5 to 10 cm new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Ridge wind 30 to 50 km/h from the southwest. Treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing level 1500 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 5 to 15 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Ridge wind west 30 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C, freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
