Wind slabs. New ones will be softer and easier to trigger and old ones will be firmer and harder to trigger but could still deliver a surprise. Seek out sheltered terrain to avoid the problem and for better riding opportunities.
With so much wind over the last number of days that has varied in both direction and intensity, wind slabs of all ages can be found on many different aspects at treeline and in the alpine. Immediate lee features and cross loaded gullies seem to be the main culprits.
No large avalanches have been reported from the area in a number of days. However, there are reports of a number of size 1 wind slabs that resulted from small explosives, ski cuts, or natural triggers. Some of these avalanches occurred in terrain features where even a small avalanche could have high consequences.
The wind has once again blown the powder into wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. So there is multiple generations of wind slab from over a week old to newly formed on most wind exposed aspects. Sheltered areas at treeline and below still have preserved powder.
The middle of the snowpack is firm and well consolidated. Weak faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack.
The average snowpack depth is 130 cm. Up to 200 cm can be found in wind-loaded areas.
Thursday night
Mostly clear with increasing clouds. Flurries possible delivering a few centimeters of snow. Wind from the southwest 30 km/h gusting 50 km/h. Temperature -8˚C.
Friday
Increasing cloudiness into the afternoon. 5 cm of new snow. Wind from the southwest 15 - 30 km/h. Temperature -5˚C.
SaturdayMostly cloudy. 2 - 4 cm of new snow. Wind variable at 20 km/h. Temperature -4˚C.
SundayA mix of sun and cloud. No precipitation. Wind from the southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 km/h. Temperature -7˚C to -4˚C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
