North Rockies

Watch for wind slabs in steep alpine terrain as the cold winter-like conditions persist.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy along the eastern slopes and clear skies along the western slopes, 25-40 km/h wind from the northeast, treeline temperatures around -15 C.

THURSDAY: Cloudy along the eastern slopes and mostly clear skies along the western slopes, 20-35 km/h wind from the northeast, treeline temperatures warm to -10 C.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the southeast, treeline temperatures warm to -8 C.

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind, treeline temperatures warm to -4 C.

The last reported avalanche activity is from Monday, when there were a few large natural and human-triggered wind slabs (size 2) on various aspects in alpine terrain. We suspect the reactivity of these wind slabs is diminishing under the current weather pattern.

Recent wind has come from various directions and left some wind slabs lingering in alpine terrain. 20 to 40 cm of recent snow sits on a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2000 m. A sun crust likely extends to mountain tops on solar aspects. Another prominent crust layer is found 40 to 70 cm deep.

Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

• Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.