The snowpack in the Whistler Creek / Tonquin region has a significantly less supportive midpack. As a result we have seen a few large avalanches. Be conservative in alpine terrain.
Wind slabs are widespread in the alpine with previous loading in lee features. Sensitivity will vary with local loading and wind patterns. Triggering a wind slab has the potential to activate the deep persistent slab.
Skier triggering could occur in shallow snowpacks or from large loads such a cornice failure. The consequences of triggering would be severe!
15cm new snow over the last 48 hours overlies wind slab and hard slab in the alpine, possible sun crust on steep solar aspects treeline and below. The southern section of the forecast region has a generally a more bridged midpack than the north around Marmot basin. Basal sections of the snowpack consist of up to 40cms of depth hoar and facets.
During field patrol on Hwy 93 Monday no new avalanches were observed.
Cloudy with sunny periods Tuesday and trace amounts of snow. Alpine high -10 C and wind from the west at 15 km/h.
Find the Alberta Rockies weather synopsis here: Mountain Weather Forecast
