A surface hoar layer is buried at an ideal depth for human triggering.
Triggering is most likely where strong winds have formed a wind slabs over this weak layer.
Accumulated storm snow is being redistributed by strong SW wind. Likely trigger areas are the downwind side of ridges, peaks and terrain breaks. Sheltered terrain where surface hoar can be found is also a concern.
A crust with facets deep in the snowpack remains a concern, particularly in areas with a thinner snowpack. While the probability of triggering this layer is low, the consequences could be severe.
No new avalanches reported.
We expect strong wind to redistribute soft snow into lee features developing wind slabs that may be possible to human trigger.
Up to 40 cm of wind affected snow covers a variety of older snow surfaces, including surface hoar in terrain sheltered from wind. Expect to find wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at higher elevations.
Approximately 40 to 80 cm of recent snow continues to settle above a melt-freeze crust that is thin or absent in alpine terrain, while thicker and widespread at treeline and below.
Near the bottom of the snowpack, a series of crusts exists with associated faceted snow.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
