Continue to choose conservative, low consequence terrain.
The Likelihood of triggering a persistent slab is uncertain.
Solar input will likely weaken this already scary snowpack.
Recent new snow has been redistributed by wind blowing from a variety of directions. Smaller slabs may easily step down and trigger larger, more destructive avalanches.
A weak layer of facets and/or surface hoar may rest above a hard-melt freeze crust that formed early February. This layer remains in the depth for human triggering .
Wet loose avalanches are possible in steep terrain and have the potential to step down to the early February crust.
One natural size 1.5 wind slab avalanche was reported on Friday. This avalanche was likely the result of the winds shifting to the east.
Over the past week in the neighbouring region, many natural and skier triggered persistent slab avalanches occurred on the facets above the early-February melt-freeze crust described in the Snowpack Summary.
Winds have come from a variety of directions over the past couple days. Wind effect could be found on all aspects.
30 to 55 cm overlies a layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on south and west-facing slopes.
A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 60 to 80 cm deep. This crust may have a layer of facets above it.
The eastern portion of this region is much shallower with a highly variable and wind effected snowpack.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear with trace amounts of new snow. 10 to 25 km/h northeast alpine wind. Treeline temperature -20°C.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 25 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature -13°C.
Tuesday
Sunny. 15 to 30 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -10°C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 5 to 25 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -8°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
