Avoid large, steep and open slopes at higher elevations where persistent weak layers are more likely to be triggered.
Variable winds have likely redistributed recent snow into lee terrain features on many aspects. Wind slabs will be most reactive where they overlay a buried surface hoar layer. Expect locally variable wind effects.
Layers of facets and surface hoar have shown recent reactivity. Choose small, low angle slopes as uncertainty exists.
Several wind and persistent slabs were triggered on Saturday, to size 1 (see photos below). Avalanches failed on a mix of wind affected snow, buried crust or crust and surface hoar combinations.
Southerly winds have redistributed recent snowfall into deep pockets on north facing slopes. Winds are forecast to shift west/northwest on Monday, likely creating loading on all aspects.
Two layers of concern currently exist in the upper-mid snowpack. Surface hoar on a crust can be found 20 to 60 cm deep. This layer has been reactive where a slab has consolidated above. And a layer of facets, surface hoar and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 50 to 100 cm deep. This layer produced large natural and human-triggered avalanches last week.
The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated with no current concerns.
Sunday Night
Cloudy with flurries. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures drop to -8 °C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. 25 to 35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with flurries. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing levels around 1100 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with flurries. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C as freezing levels rise to 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
