Watch for wind loaded features above terrain traps like cliffs and gullies. Thanks to everyone who's shared observations on the MIN!
Confidence
High - The weather pattern is stable
Weather Forecast
Cool clear weather all week. Sunny with light east winds and treeline temperatures around -5 C.
Avalanche Summary
Several small skier triggered avalanches were reported in the Sky Pilot area near Squamish over the weekend. Most appeared to be wind slabs on north aspects in the size 1-1.5 range. Wind slabs may linger in exposed alpine features.
Snowpack Summary
Sunday's storm delivered 5-10 cm of heavy snow to the region. A solid surface crust has formed at lower elevations. At higher elevations, small wind slabs may be lingering in the lee of exposed ridges. The mid and lower snowpack are settled and well bonded.
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.