Enjoy the blue skies and powder! Keep in mind wind slabs may remain triggerable at upper elevations.
Shifting winds built wind slabs on various aspects at upper elevations. The cold temperatures may be keeping these slabs reactive for longer that usual. Carefully assess steep areas for potential slabs before committing.
On Friday:
Several size 1.5 to 2 naturally triggered wind slabs were observed in the alpine near Panorama on wind-loaded north through easterly aspects. (See photos)
Two size 1 cornices were triggered with explosives near Panorama.
On Thursday:
A naturally triggered size 2 wind slab was observed in steep alpine terrain off of Jackpine Mountain near Panorama
* If you are travelling in the mountains, please submit any observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Recent snow and moderate shifting winds formed wind slabs on various aspects at upper elevations. These wind slabs will likely be getting stubborn, but may remain triggerable.
A weak layer from mid-November, made up of a thick crust with overlying facets, and in some cases surface hoar, remains a lingering concern in very isolated areas above 2100 m, and generally in shallower snowpack spots. In eastern parts of the region, it is buried around 100 cm deep, and up to 180 cm in western areas with a deeper snowpack.
Depth hoar is present at the base of the snowpack.
Sunday Night
Clear skies. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Monday
Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Tuesday
Sunny. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Wednesday
Sunny. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
