Wind slabs may be reactive to rider triggering. The safest, best riding may be in lower elevation terrain sheltered from the wind.
Confidence
Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable
Weather Forecast
The dominating arctic ridge is slowly breaking down as we transition to a more zonal (westerly) flow. Cloudy with some sunny periods, westerly winds and slightly warmer alpine temperatures will persist through the weekend. A more significant change to come early next week.Friday/ Saturday/ Sunday: Mostly cloudy skies. Ridgetop winds will be light gusting moderate from the SW-W and alpine temperatures near -14.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche activity reported on Thursday. With the winds recently switching directions, wind slabs should be expected on a variety of aspects.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm of recent snow has buried a plethora of old snow surfaces which consists of wind scoured surfaces, old wind slabs, surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered terrain, and/or faceted old snow. Recent moderate winds from all directions is has redistributed some of this new snow on leeward slopes and behind terrain features. Deeper in the snowpack, the mid-December persistent weak facet layer has been more prominent and reactive in the Corbin area than areas closer to Fernie. The layer is generally considered dormant at the moment, but its status may change if we head into a warmer, wetter period next week.
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.