Strong forecasted wind will easily transport and sweep light alpine snow. Ground obstacles are barely buried at lower elevations, and off-trail riding remains challenging.
Expected strong winds are likely to develop new pockets of wind slabs that may be reactive to skier traffic. Although small, they can get triggered around convexities, ridge lines and cross-loaded features where they overlie a thick, widespread crust.
A small wind slab avalanche (size 1) was observed Monday on Mont Albert. Most likely naturally triggered, this slab slid on a steep alpine slope, loaded by recent wind.
If you go into the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations at [email protected] or on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
15-25 cm of light snow overlies a thick widespread melt-freeze crust or sits directly on the ground. Accumulations are greater in specific couloirs and alpine gullies. However, access remains very challenging and hazardous due to thin snow coverage. In most areas, the snowpack is below the threshold for avalanches. The height of the snow varies between 10 and 60 cm.
Synopsis: A northwesterly flow will keep cold weather for Tuesday. A major storm is expected to move into the region Wednesday.
Monday evening and night: Partly cloudy, no precipitations, wind north-westerly 40-50 km/h, alpine temperature -18C.
Tuesday: Cloudy with isolated flurries, 2-3 cm, wind northwest 30-40 km/h, alpine temperature -9C.
Wednesday: Snow, heavy at times, beginning by midday, 15-25 cm, wind southeast 80-100 km/h, alpine temperature -2C.
Thursday: Cloudy with isolated flurries, 2-3 cm, wind southwest 30-40 km/h, alpine temperature -5C.
For more details, check out the most recent alpine weather forecast.
