A persistent weak layer of surface hoar can still be found in isolated areas.
Use caution on north-facing slopes at upper elevations where a thick, supportive crust is absent.
Surface hoar down 70 to 100 cm, and a facet layer at the base of the snowpack in the west Purcells remain a concern on north facing slopes where there is no surface crust. Large loads like cornice falls may be able to trigger this layer
No new avalanches reported. Over the weekend, while temperatures were warm:
a few size 2 natural wind slab avalanches were reported.
One notable outlier was an explosive-triggered Size 3.5 avalanche that stepped down to a deep persistent slab in the west Purcells. While not representative of widespread conditions, it highlights that large avalanches remain possible with large loads like cornices, in complex alpine terrain.
Widespread surface hoar growth with larger growth in northerly facing, sheltered terrain. On solar facing slopes a supportive melt-freeze crust extends to the alpine. This crust is breakable and in some areas faceting on north facing terrain. Wind affected dry snow can also be found or north aspects at upper elevations.
A surface hoar layer from in early January is buried 70 to 100 cm deep. The mid-December crust is now buried around 1.5 m deep, and is present up to 2300 m. In the west Purcells near the ground a crust/facet layer can be found.
Triggering these layers is unlikely under current conditions, and would require a large load like a cornice fall.
Monday Night
Mostly clear skies. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Tuesday
Sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Thursday
Sunny. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
