Triggering newly formed storm slabs will be most likely in wind affected terrain on Sunday.
Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
Persistent weak layers of crusts/facets or surface hoar in the top 200 cm of the snowpack may be possible to trigger where there is not a thick crust under the recent snow. Cornice failures could trigger large persistent slabs.
Forecast 15 to 30 cm of snow and moderate southwest winds Saturday night/Sunday may form reactive storm slabs. Storm slabs are most likely to be reactive in wind affected terrain.
On Friday, a natural wet loose size 2 avalanche was reported on a southeast aspect in the alpine. A size 1 skier triggered wind slab was reported on a north aspect at treeline.
A widespread natural storm slab avalanche cycle up to size 3 occurred over the last week on all aspects/elevations.
Observations in this region are very limited. If you head out into the backcountry, let us know what you're seeing by submitting a MIN report.
Cornices are large and looming. Avoid traveling underneath them.
Forecast 15 to 30 cm of snow and moderate southwest winds Saturday night/Sunday may form reactive storm slabs. Storm slabs are most likely to be reactive in wind affected terrain.
Recent snowfall amounts have varied from 85 to 140 cm, with the highest amounts being in the south of the region. Below the recent snow is a weak layer of surface hoar and/or facets that will be most likely to trigger in wind affected terrain.
There are multiple persistent weak layers consisting of crust/facets or surface hoar in the top 200 cm of the snowpack.
The lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong.
Saturday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow, another 10 to 15 cm overnight. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
