Strong winds are expected to form new and reactive wind slabs at higher elevations.
Approach ridgelines and mid slope rollovers with caution.
Look for active wind loading building fresh and reactive slabs in north and east facing terrain. Buried weak layers may be reactive in wind affected terrain, increasing the size of avalanche produced.
On Monday, natural and human triggered size 1 wind slabs were reported on many aspects at treeline. Moving forward we expect human triggered slabs to continue to be possible at treeline and alpine elevations.
Reports in this region are limited, please post any photos or observations to the MIN if you head out!
Light snowfall accumulates over hard, wind affected surfaces or old crusts. Wind slabs likely exist near ridgelines, and in crossloaded features. Soft snow can found in very sheltered terrain features with no slab properties.
A mid-January crust is buried 20 to 60 cm deep. The snowpack below this layer is well-settled and generally well-bonded.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 5 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 15 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
