Wind slabs may have built up on unusual aspects due to strong, variable winds.
Use extra caution if entering wind-affected terrain.
Variable winds may have built new wind slabs in atypical places. Watch for pockets of wind slab on all apsects near ridgetops.
On Saturday, a small size 1 wind slab was naturally triggered on a northwest-facing slope just below ridge top in the McGregors.
On Thursday, a natural avalanche cycle occurred in the Pine Pass and Hasler areas up to size 2. These slabs and cornice failures generally occurred on lee slopes, at or just below ridgetops. (See photos below. )
If you’re heading out, please consider sharing details about what you see on the Mountain Information Network.
Around 5 to 15 cm of recent snow is sitting on 40 to 60 cm of older settling storm snow that accumulated last week. All this is resting on a thick melt-freeze crust. In isolated, sheltered areas, a layer of surface hoar may exist on that crust.
Strong northeasterly ridgetop winds may be blowing the recent snow into atypical south through westerly areas.
A layer of surface hoar/facets/crust, is buried 80 to 100+ cm. Triggering this layer is considered unlikely at this time.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 60 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -24 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -25 °C.
Thursday
Sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -21 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
