Moderate to strong winds from shifting directions are forming fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above on a variety of aspects. Stay alert to changing conditions with elevation and aspect to avoid wind loaded slopes.
Moderate to strong winds from shifting directions are forming fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above on a variety of aspects.
Cornices are large and looming along many ridgelines, and have likely grown with the recent snow and wind. They require a large berth from above and below.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm. / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -11 / Freezing level valley bottom.
FRIDAY: Snow/rain; 3-10 mm, and another 5-10 cm. overnight / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -2 / Freezing level 800 m.
SATURDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 mm. / Light, south ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -1 / Freezing level 900 m.
SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Strong, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -1 / Freezing level 900 m.
On Wednesday, naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on steep solar aspects.
Moderate to strong winds from shifting directions are forming fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above on a variety of aspects. A firm crust exists at lower elevations.
Buried 70-120 cm. deep, a spotty layer of surface hoar may exist on sheltered north aspects, as well as a crust on south aspects and below 1500 m. Recent observations suggest that this interface is bonding.
The mid and lower snowpack is reported as well settled and strong in most areas. However, weak facets exist at the base of the snowpack in the more shallow snowpack zones within much of the region and have the potential to be triggered on steep, rocky slopes with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack; especially with large loads such as a cornice fall.
