A dangerous, persistent weak layer remains the primary concern in the alpine
Conservative terrain choices are recommended
Wind slabs will be most reactive below ridgetops and in cross-loaded features. If triggered, wind slabs may step down to deeper layers, causing larger avalanches.
A persistent layer of facets/crust is buried 80 to 150+ cm, and has recently produced very large avalanches. It appears to be most reactive in areas closer to the coast with diminished reactivity further inland.
Friday & Saturday
Several naturally triggered size 1-2.5 slabs were observed on east through south aspects, at 1400 m and below.
Wednesday,
The field team saw both natural and rider-triggered slabs, see photos below.
Tuesday
Multiple widely propagating natural avalanches were observed, and a cornice was remotely triggered by sledders. More in this MIN.
Last Sunday
A very large avalanche resulted in a fatality near Mt.McDonell. More info here.
At ridgeline and exposed terrain, strong outflow winds have left slabs and hard wind-pressed surfaces. Soft snow can still be found in wind-sheltered areas.
A notable layer of facets and a crust is buried 80 to 150+ cm and extends up to around 1400 m. It continues to show reactivity in snowpack tests and recent avalanches have failed on it. With the depth of this layer, the greatest concern for triggering is in shallow, thin to thick snowpack areas or from a large trigger, such as a cornice fall. It also appears to be most reactive in areas closest to the coast with diminished reactivity further inland.
Saturday Night
Clear skies. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
