New snow and strong winds continue to form fresh wind slabs in north and east facing terrain at upper elevations. The softest riding and safest avalanche conditions can be found in wind-sheltered terrain.
New snow and strong southwesterly winds are forming fresh wind slabs on lee slopes in the alpine and at treeline. Watch for typical wind loading around ridgelines and convexities and be aware of mid-slope cross loaded features.
Deeper weak layers have not produced avalanches for sometime, but may be possible to trigger with step down avalanches.
Wind slabs were reported throughout the region this week. A notable size 1.5 wind slab was remotely triggered on a convex roll at treeline. It was sitting over a previously wind scoured and facetted surface.
Loose dry avalanche activity was reported out of steep rocky slopes on Friday.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Moderate to strong southwest winds continue to redistribute new and recent snow into fresh wind slabs in exposed alpine and treeline terrain. In sheltered areas, 15 to 25 cm of soft snow can be found. A crust may be found in the upper snowpack on steep solar aspects and below 1800 m.
Although we haven't seen recent persistent slab avalanche activity on mid-snowpack layers, we're still tracking a weak layer of faceted snow or decomposing crust buried 50 to 100 cm deep.
The bottom of the snowpack is comprised of weak, sugary facets and depth hoar. It has been most problematic in the Hurley/Birkenhead and north. This layer is still a concern for step down avalanches or very large triggers such as cornice falls. It can be most easily triggered from steep and rocky start zones where the snowpack varies from thick to thin. For a how-to on sleuthing out signs of basal problems, check out this great MIN report from Eldorado Cabin.
Generally, the snowpack in this region is weak and shallow. Snowpack depths around treeline range between 150 to 250 cm.
Sunday night
Cloudy skies with isolated flurries possible. Trace accumulations. Southwest wind increasing to strong at ridgetop. Freezing level drops to valley bottom.
Monday
Up to 5 cm of new snow. Strong southwest wind. Freezing level riding to 1500 m.
Tuesday
10-20 cm of new snow over 24h. Strong southwest wind. Freezing level around 1500 m, snow line around 1000 m.
Wednesday
Sunny. Light to moderate westerly wind. Freezing level around 1000 m.
Tuesday1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
