As the wind picks up, new wind slabs may form in lee terrain features.
Light to moderate wind speed is forecast from the south to west. As the wind picks up, it has the potential of moving the soft snow and forming new wind slabs in lee terrain features. Assess for wind effect as you travel and use caution where you find a slabby snow surface.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light snowfall, trace accumulation, 10 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -16 C.
THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 10 to 20 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -15 C.
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 20 to 30 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -12 C.
SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 20 to 30 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -10 C.
No avalanches have been observed in the region over the weekend or earlier this week.
Going forward, wind slabs could be triggered by riders if the wind picks up and starts moving the soft snow around. The most likely place to find wind slabs would be in steep, lee terrain features near ridges.
Around 10 to 20 cm of soft, faceted snow may be found across the region. Forecasted moderate wind speeds may start to move this snow around, forming wind slabs in exposed lee terrain features at higher elevations. Cornices remain large, so use caution when on or beneath ridges.
Underneath the soft snow you are likely to find a hard melt-freeze crust that can be found up to about 1600 m and otherwise widespread wind effect. You may find a spotty weak layer of surface hoar between 10 and 50 cm deep in sheltered terrain at and below treeline, but this layer has not produced any avalanches to date.
There are presently no deeper concerns in the snowpack.
