Avalanche Forecast

I would expect thin wind slabs to continue to form in exposed areas with small amounts if new snow accumulating and steady northwest winds blowing through the weekend.

There is evidence that a natural avalanche cycle occurred early in the week during the warming/rain event. Avalanches ranged from size 1-3 and were reported as mostly wind slabs and some loose wet. That being said I would suspect snow layers that produced the avalanches are now frozen into the hard crust you feel just below the recent new snow.

3-10cm of recent snow has been distributed by west through northeast wind in the past few days. This snow sits above a 5-10cm thick rain crust which formed as a result of the warming and rain early in the week. Judging by reports the new snow seems to be forming a good bond to the crust.

The snow below is a mix of dense wind affected snow layers at higher elevations. At lower elevations you may find another thin melt freeze crust buried by about 50 cm. The lower snowpack is likely dense and well bonded from warm temperatures, rainfall and subsequent refreezing.

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries possible. Wind light to moderate northwest. High temperature around -18 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with some sunny periods and also isolated flurries possible . Wind light to moderate northwest. High temperature around -16 °C.

Sunday

Mainly cloudy with flurries, accumulation 1-3cm. Wind light to moderate northwest. High temperature around -15 °C.

Monday

Mainly cloudy. Wind moderate to strong northwest. High temperature around -13 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
• Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.