Touchy wind slabs can be found in many alpine and treeline locations.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
MONDAY: Mainly cloudy with 5-10 cm snow. Freezing level near 600 m. Strong westerly winds.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level near 400 m. Moderate to strong westerly winds.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with flurries. Freezing level near 400 m. Moderate southerly winds.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.Avalanche Summary
Poor weather has kept avalanche observations to a minimum. It is expected that a natural avalanche cycle is underway at high elevations due to rapid snow and wind loading.
Snowpack Summary
Light snow and strong winds are continuously building wind slabs in open terrain at alpine and treeline elevations. These overlie buried old hard wind slabs, scoured surfaces and sastrugi in many exposed areas. In wind-sheltered terrain, sun crusts or dry facets sit below the recent storm snow.Around 50-150 cm down, you will find a crust/surface hoar layer from mid-January, which still has the chance to surprise you and could be triggered from a thin snowpack spot, or with a large trigger like cornice fall. Facets at the base of the snowpack can possibly be triggered from shallow snowpack areas.
pgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
