Crusts on solar aspect are becoming more the norm. Dry snow, and better riding quality, will be found on the more shaded aspects, but watch for wind slabs in alpine areas.
Recent snowfall and westerly winds are expected to have formed wind slabs in lee features in the alpine. Watch for areas where recent slabs are overlying a sun crust that can act as a perfect bed surface.
Cornices may have grown significantly in the past two weeks. Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridge-lines and minimize overhead exposure to large cornices.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Partially cloudy, isolated flurries. Moderate to strong westerly winds. Freezing level dropping to 700 m.
MONDAY: Cloudy, isolated flurries. Light to moderate westerly winds. Freezing level rising to 2000 m in the afternoon.
TUESDAY: Partially cloudy with light flurries. Moderate to strong westerly winds. Freezing level rising to 3300 m in the afternoon.
WEDNESDAY: Mainly cloudy, isolated flurries. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Freezing level rising to 3000 m in the afternoon.
A few large wind slab avalanches occurred in alpine terrain on Tuesday (size 2 to 3), otherwise, avalanche activity in the past week has been limited to small wind slabs and wet loose avalanches (size 1).
Strong southwest wind has impacted surface snow conditions at upper elevations and built windslab in lee areas. The surface is moist and crusty below 1800 m and on solar aspects into the alpine. The upper snowpack contains several crust layers, and the snow is well bonded to these crusts.
