Wind slabs are likely to be encountered at upper elevations and may be reactive to human triggering.
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with flurries, 5 cm / northeast wind, 10-20 km/h / alpine low temperature near -11WEDNESDAY- Cloudy with isolated flurries / west wind, 10-15 km/h / alpine high temperature near -9 / freezing level 1300 mTHURSDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / southwest winds 15-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -8 / freezing level 1400 mFRIDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / southwest winds, 10-25 km/h / alpine high temperature near -6 / freezing level 1500 m
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, there were preliminary reports of several size 1 human triggered storm slab and loose snow avalanches, as well as natural and explosives triggered loose snow avalanches up to size 2.On Monday, there were reports of a few size 1 human triggered storm slab avalanches, and one natural size 2 wind slab avalanche on a northwest aspect at 2600 m.On Sunday, there were reports of natural and human triggered storm and wind slab avalanches to size 1.5 on north and southwest aspects in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
10-25 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. There are up to three layers of surface hoar that were buried in January and February. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at lower elevations. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanches on these layers are infrequent, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks, large open glades and south facing slopes.The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.