Conditions vary across the region.
Keep an eye out for reactive wind slabs in unusual places and buried surface hoar in sheltered areas.
Wind slabs may remain reactive. Keep an eye out for changing slab properties (fluffy snow turning to stiffer more cohesive snow) as you travel at or near ridgetops or on steep slopes. In some areas wind slabs may overlie weak surface hoar.
On Saturday, backcountry users found touchy wind slabs on south through westerly slopes in the Shames backcountry. They reported shooting cracks and triggering many slabs during the day.
The same day, people at Anderson also found shooting cracks and propagating slabs between 1000 - 1200 m. These slabs however, failed on surface hoar buried 15 - 20 cm.
Conditions are variable throughout the region. t’s a good idea to continually verify conditions and adjust as you travel.
Many alpine and open treeline areas have seen significant wind effect and wind slabs building from outflow northeasterly winds. You can read more about wind slabs near Shames in this MIN. Other parts of the region however, report only minor wind effect.
This MIN describes touchy buried surface hoar conditions near Anderson that are unique in the region.
New surface hoar has been reported growing in sheltered areas. Several layers of weak surface hoar can be found between 70 to 200 cm deep. Triggering these layers is considered unlikely at this time.
Snowpack depths in excess of 350 cm can be found at treeline elevations.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy. 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 35 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C. Possible temperature inversion forming in the alpine.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 3 cm of snow. 35 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
