Microwave-Sinclair

Watch for reactive wind slabs forming at higher elevations.

It is still possible to trigger weak layers deep in the snowpack. If you observe signs of instability, head to simple terrain.

Rider triggered size 1 wind slabs were reported on Monday, during active loading from westerly winds at Ashman and Silvern Lakes.

Light snow and southerly winds continue to redistribute recent snowfall. This snow is accumulating on a layer of surface hoar buried 10 to 30 cm deep. This layer of surface hoar is present in the alpine and on aspects that are not exposed to sunlight.

Another layer of facets, surface hoar and/or a crust buried in mid-February is 40 to 80 cm below the snow surface and has been reactive in snowpack tests.

Deeper in the snowpack, a weak layer of facets and a crust from early December can be found. This layer appears to be dormant but is still worth keeping in mind in thin snowpack areas in the alpine.

Thursday Night

Cloudy with 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with flurries 30 to 40 km/h southwest winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing levels reach 1300 m.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with flurries 30 to 40 km/h southwest winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing levels reach 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rocky outcrops, and steep terrain where triggering is most likely.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.