7:25 AM Update: Be on the lookout for new slabs at higher elevations and wet snow down low. Remain cautious in wind-affected terrain, especially if you see blowing snow.
New snow and extreme southwest wind have built fresh slabs at all elevations. They may be more reactive where a buried surface hoar layer is present. Storm slabs are also possible for areas that received 15 cm of new snow.
Watch for wet loose avalanches where the snowpack is wet. Avoid travelling above or within terrain traps.
On Saturday, a large wind slab—possibly triggered by a cornice fall—was reported near Gladstone Mountain in the southern part of the region.
On Friday, explosive control triggered a size 2 wind slab out of a lee crossloaded slope in the alpine.
Looking forward, wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggering on Tuesday.
Strong to extreme southwesterly winds have caused widespread wind effect in open terrain, forming hard and soft wind slabs, sastrugi, and scouring windward slopes.
In parts of the region, a buried surface hoar layer may exist roughly 40 cm below the surface.
The mid-snowpack is well consolidated, with a thick melt-freeze crust present at treeline and below, but generally absent in the alpine.
Near the bottom of the snowpack, a crust with facets is considered unlikely to trigger, except with large loads or in thin snowpack areas.
Monday Night
Cloudy. 0 to 5 cm of snow, locally 15 cm. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 2100 m.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level rising to 3500 m.
Thursday
Sunny. 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
