Windslabs at upper elevations are the main concern. The cold air will remain for a few more days.
Confidence
High - The weather pattern is stable
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY Night: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, moderate northeast wind, alpine temperature -20 C MONDAY: Mainly sunny, light to moderate northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C with an alpine temperature inversionTUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northeast wind, alpine temperature -7 C with an alpine temperature inversionWEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -10 C.
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, several explosives triggered wind slab avalanches were reported to size 2 on northerly aspects in the alpine. Numerous explosive triggered size 1.5-2 storm slab avalanches were reported on Friday in the alpine and treeline.
Snowpack Summary
40-50 cm of new snow Thursday and Friday has been redistributed by strong southwesterly winds and sits on a crust on all aspects except north and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets in sheltered terrain at treeline and below. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
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.