Recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive. With beautiful weather in the forecast this week, watch for signs of warming on solar aspects.
5-10 cm of new snow over the weekend has likely been wind loaded into leeward terrain features by previous moderate northerly wind. Wind slabs may be especially reactive where they sit over a crust.
Loose wet avalanches are most likely on steep or rocky solar aspects when the sun is strong or temperatures are warm. A moist or wet snow surface and pinwheeling are indicators of increasing potential for loose wet avalanches.
We are expecting fresh wind slabs to be small but reactive this weekend. Watch the MIN for reports of recent wind slab activity.
Prior to the weekend, recent observations were limited to small pockets of old wind slab lingering on easterly aspects. Older crowns and debris may remain visible from a wind slab cycle the first week of March.
5-10 cm of recent snow sits over crusts and wind-hardened surfaces. At wind exposed elevations, the recent snow has likely seen some wind effect from previous moderate northerly wind.
The mid snowpack is composed of mainly dense, wind affected snow with a few crust layers. The lower snowpack is dense and well bonded from warm temperatures, rainfall and subsequent refreezing.
Saturday night
Clear. Moderate northeasterly wind, easing. Alpine low -9 C.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. Light northerly wind. Alpine high -5.
Monday
A trace of snow overnight then clearing to mostly sunny. Light northerly wind. Alpine high -2.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny. Light northerly wind. Alpine high -2.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
