Forecast wind speeds are highly uncertain for Monday. If winds are strong, reactive wind slabs will form in exposed lee terrain, and the avalanche danger may be higher than posted.
Confidence
Low - Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Monday
Weather Forecast
Monday: Clear skies / Moderate northwest winds / Alpine temperature of -21Tuesday: Clear skies / Moderate northwest winds / Alpine temperature of -20Wednesday: Clear skies / Light northwest winds / Alpine temperature of -18
Avalanche Summary
In recent days, a few skier triggered wind slabs size to 1.0 were reported at treeline and in the alpine. If the wind picks-up on Monday, new wind slab activity will likely occur, especially in areas where snow surfaces are loose and unconsolidated.
Snowpack Summary
In most areas there is 30-50 cm of recent low density storm snow that has stayed unconsolidated except where it has been transported into wind slabs. The surface snow has been facetting due to the cold temperatures, and some surface hoar has been developing in isolated areas. The mid-pack has been reported to be well settled above above a crust that was buried in mid-november. This crust may be buried less than a metre to close to 2 metres deep, depending on elevation and previous exposure to winds. Snowpack tests on the crust have shown variable results from sudden and planar to no result. Professionals continue to monitor this crust and are watching for facet development above and below that may increase reactivity. The basal layers of the snowpack continue to be reported to be moist in some of the deeper snowpack areas of the region.
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.