Wind slabs may remain triggerable on isolated lee slopes.
Use normal caution and check all steep open slopes for slabs before committing to them.
Strong wind from various directions has formed wind slabs on slopes adjacent to ridges. Assess for wind effect and slab properties before entering steep terrain.
On Friday, explosive control triggered several cornices that did not trigger subsequent slabs. A couple of small, dry loose sluffs were also triggered by skiers.
On Thursday, several small, size 1-1.5 wind slabs were triggered by people and occurred naturally in various parts of the region.
Looking forward, triggering avalanches may be possible on steep wind-loaded slopes in isolated areas.
Up to 5 cm of snow is forecast for Sunday. The region has seen variable wind effect over the last few days. Some areas have experienced very little wind, while others report a more extensively wind-affected snow surface at upper elevations.
In sheltered terrain, 40 to 60 cm of snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust from early February. Below this, a layer of surface hoar, facets, and/or crust from late January is buried around 100 cm. Triggering either of these layers is considered unlikely at this time.
The remainder of the snowpack is consolidated with no layers of concern.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
