Recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers; especially where they are sitting on a slippery sun crust and/or a weak layer of surface hoar.
Cornices are very large in many areas, minimize your exposure time below them.
Recently formed wind slabs may remain active to human triggers in isolated locations; especially where they are sitting on a slippery sun crust.
Cornices are very large in many areas, be aware of what's above your head.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear / Light north winds / Low of -22 / Freezing level surface.
WEDNESDAY: Sunny / Moderate northwest wind / High of -9 / Freezing level surface.
THURSDAY: Increasing cloudiness with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm / Moderate northwest wind / High of -6 / Freezing level surface.
FRIDAY: Cloudy with flurries; 3-10 cm / Strong west wind / High of -1 / Freezing level rising to 1300 m.
A skier triggered size 1.5 wind slab was reported on a east aspect below a treeline ridgetop on Monday. The wind slab was sitting on a layer of recently buried surface hoar which resulted in wide propagation of the slab.
Riders may get surprised by widely propagating wind slabs that are sitting on crusts and/or surface hoar.
10-15 cm of recent snow and west/northwest winds have formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. These slabs may remain more reactive on south facing slopes where they are sitting on a slippery sun crust. Below the recent snow, there may be a layer of small surface hoar that is likely most pronounced on northerly aspects or sheltered locations.
Lower elevations have seen warm temperatures last week and have a melt freeze crust on the surface.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas, with multiple crusts throughout. No recent persistent slab avalanches have been reported on these layers.
