Recent new snow and northerly winds are promoting wind slab formation at upper elevations.
10-20 cm of recent new snow and primarily northerly winds are promoting fresh wind slab development over previously wind affected surfaces and in some places weak facetted snow.
Reports on Wednesday showed several thin explosives triggered, skier controlled and natural storm slab and dry loose avalanches running to size 1.5.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
New snow has accumulated over faceted surfaces in many areas and wind-affected surfaces in open areas at all elevations. A weak layer of facets above a melt-freeze crust is found down 60 to 100 cm.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well bonded with a series of crusts and facetted snow.
The average snow depth at treeline is approximately 100 to 180 cm.
Wednesday Night
Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, 3-5 cm of accumulation, northwest and northeast alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -18 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud, northwest alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
