Continue practicing safe travel habits and group management.
Consider the consequences of a small avalanche or any fall before committing to large features.
Thin wind slabs that formed through the weekend could still avalanche under the weight of a human. If a wind slab avalanche starts, it may step down to the thick, frozen rain crust that formed in early February.
Existing wind slabs are likely getting harder to trigger.
On Saturday, west of Pincher Creek, explosive testing produced a couple of large (size 2) avalanches that failed on faceted snow above the early February rain crust.
Recent moderate to strong winds have varied in direction, forming wind slabs on all aspects and at all elevations. In terrain sheltered from the wind, expect 30 to 50 cm over the thick rain crust that formed in early February. Weak, sugary facets have formed above this crust.
At treeline and below, a sun crust may be found on the surface on aspects that face the sun.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1-5 cm of snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline around -3 °C. Freezing level to 1000 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. trace amounts of snow expected. Southwest ridgetop wind 40 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature around 0°C. Freezing level at valley bottom overnight, rising to 1500 m through the day.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. trace amounts of snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 0°C. Freezing level at valley bottom overnight, rising to 1500 m through the day.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. trace amounts of snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 0°C. Freezing level at valley bottom overnight, rising to 1500 m through the day.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
