Overnight snow and wind may form fresh, reactive slabs. Back off if you encounter signs of instability.
Newly formed and reactive slabs are expected to form in wind-loaded terrain.
Take a cautious approach to steep openings at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
A widespread natural avalanche cycle took place during the storm last Wednesday.
A notable sled-triggered wind slab was reported at Coal Creek from a ridgetop, wind-loaded feature. More details can be seen here.
A MIN report from Saturday suggested that wind slabs remained touchy below ridges and tree bands.
Up to 15 cm of new snow will add to 40 cm of recent storm snow, with deeper deposits accumulating in lee-facing terrain at higher elevations due to southwest winds.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and stable. However, there is some uncertainty about a potential surface hoar layer buried 50 to 80 cm deep, which could be reactive on isolated, steep, sheltered slopes around treeline and below.
Snow depths at treeline range from 120 to 180 cm.
Saturday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with up to 1 cm of new snow. 25 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with up to 2 cm of new snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
