Wind slabs may remain reactive in unlikely places; assess continually as you travel.
Avoid steep slopes with areas of dense wind-blown snow.
Small but reactive wind slabs have been reported on various aspects, affecting lower elevations than usual. Wind slabs will be most reactive in immidiate lee features such as just below ridgetops.
On Dec 20th explosive control triggered several small size 1-1.5 wind slabs on northerly slopes in the alpine.
On Dec 18th, large (size 2) natural wind slab avalanches occurred at treeline.
Looking forward, overnight outflow northeasterly winds may build fresh wind slabs, while older wind slabs could remain sensitive to triggering.
Alpine and treeline areas have seen significant wind effect and wind slabs have built up on a variety of aspects from strong, shifting winds. In some places, the wind effect has even reached far into the trees.
In wind-sheltered areas at treeline and below, there is still soft powder to be found.
The mid and lower snowpack are uncomplicated and relatively deep for the time of year. Snowpack depths in excess of 300+ cm can be found at treeline elevations.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy. 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Wednesday
Sunny. 15 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -19 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
