Watch for thin wind slabs in alpine terrain.
Extreme cold significantly increases the consequences of an incident in the backcountry.
Recent low-density snow has been redistributed into thin wind slabs in exposed alpine terrain features like ridges and steep rollovers.
The lower snowpack is characterized by basal facets and depth hoar in most alpine areas. Consequences could be severe if triggered.
Several storm and wind slab avalanches were reported across the region on Tuesday and Wednesday. They occurred on a variety of aspects and elevations and were both naturally and explosive triggered, up to size 2.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Up to 40 cm of recent, low-density snow sits atop a variety of old surfaces, including surface hoar, crusts and/or facets.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak with several layers of note. Of greatest concern are weak facets and/or depth hoar located at the bottom of the snowpack, particularly in alpine terrain.
Snowpack depths at treeline range from 60 to 150 cm.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear with no precipitation, north alpine winds 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -35 °C.
Friday
Sunny with no precipitation, northwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -32 °C.
Saturday
Sunny with no precipitation, northwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -30 °C.
Sunday
Sunny with no precipitation, north alpine winds 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -26 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
