Avoid steep slopes with areas of dense, wind-blown snow.
Shifting winds may build wind slabs in unusual places - Don't get caught off guard!
Wind slabs may remain reactive. Keep an eye out for changing slab properties (fluffy light snow turning to stiffer more cohesive snow) as you travel at or near ridgetops or on steep slopes.
No new avalanches have been reported.
On the 17th, a small size 1 wind slab was ski cut on a north aspect at treeline.
On the 16th, some naturally triggered storm slabs up to size 1.5 were observed.
With limited observations available this time of year, it’s a good idea to continually verify conditions and adjust your plans as you travel.
If you are heading into the backcountry, consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network.
Alpine and open treeline areas have seen significant wind effect and wind slabs building from outflow northeasterly winds.
Up to 50 cm of storm snow from last week sits on a thin crust with facets below, which extends up to 1400 m.
Several layers of weak surface hoar can be found between 70 to 200 cm deep. Triggering these layers is considered unlikely at this time.
Snowpack depths in excess of 350 cm can be found at treeline elevations.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. 30 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 25 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13°C.
Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 35 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -19 °C. Possible temperature inversion forming in the alpine.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
