Small wind slabs are expected to remain reactive on Wednesday in exposed high elevation terrain. Reverse loading by easterly winds means wind slabs may have formed in unusual places.
Recent winds from the northeast through southeast have redistributed the recent snowfall into small reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain features. These slabs sit over a firm melt-freeze crust which may increase their reactivity.
Tuesday night: Mainly cloudy with a chance of flurries, light to moderate northeast wind, treeline low around -14 °C.
Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with a chance of flurries and sunny breaks, light to moderate northeast wind, treeline high around -10 °C.
Thursday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, light northeast wind, treeline high around -8 °C.
Friday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, light variable wind, treeline high around -6 °C.
No new avalanches were reported over the past few days. On Tuesday in the neighbouring Flathead area, the Avalanche Canada field team reported a couple natural size 1-1.5 wind slabs in steep leeward features in the alpine. Conditions are expected to be similar in the South Rockies.
Observations are very limited this time of year. If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider contributing to the Mountain Information Network.
10-20 cm of recent snowfall has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust which formed during the major warming event at the end of last week. Recent periods of strong wind from the northeast through southeast on Monday and Tuesday are expected to have redistributed the recent snowfall in exposed high elevation terrain forming small new wind slabs which sit on a firm crust.
The middle and lower snowpack are currently well settled and strong.
