If wind speeds increase on Wednesday avalanche danger will be heightened on freshly wind loaded slopes.
With plenty of soft, light snow available for wind transport, we expect to see wind slab formation in the alpine and open areas near treeline. A north or northwest wind means atypical cross-loading and reverse loading patterns. Be especially cautious near ridgetops.
Over the past few days there have been some reports of small (size 1) loose dry avalanches (sluffs) and some small isolated wind slab avalanches. This could change on Wednesday if wind speeds increase and form fresh thicker wind slabs.
Cold arctic air will persist until Sunday.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, no precipitation, moderate wind from the north with gusts to 50 km/h, treeline temperatures drop to -15 C.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny with some afternoon clouds, no precipitation, moderate wind from the northwest with gusts to 60 km/h, treeline temperatures around -10 C.
THURSDAY: Cloudy, light flurries with up to 5 cm of low density snow, moderate wind from the northwest with some gusts to 50 km/h, treeline temperatures around -8 C.
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny skies, light wind from the north with gusts to 40 km/h, treeline temperatures around -10 C.
With plenty of soft, light snow available for transport, expect wind slab formation at upper elevations if wind speed pick up. A northwesterly wind direction means atypical cross-loading and reverse loading patterns. 20-40 cm now sits over a freezing rain crust below 1500 m and above this elevation it may rest on a layer of large surface hoar crystals. Our field team reported easy shears on this layer in their MIN report last week. The lower snowpack is generally well bonded.
