Watch for pockets of fresh wind slab on atypical aspects and elevations due to outflow winds.
Watch for pockets of fresh wind slab in atypical terrain features (think southwest aspects instead of northeast). This pattern is most likely to be found at lower elevations with soft snow available for transport by outflows.
No new avalanches have been reported in the region. Observations have been limited, but our field team got a glimpse into treeline terrain Thursday and Friday with no avalanche activity to report.
If you head out in the mountains, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network.
Any trace of soft snow available for transport in the extensively wind-hardened landscape will be reverse-loaded into atypical terrain features as outflows pick up this week.
20 to 30 cm of wind-battered snow sits over a crust. A recent MIN report describes preserved surface hoar sitting above the crust in the Powder Valley. This setup is worth investigating throughout the region as slabs formed over this grain could remain reactive for an extended period.
Despite the presence of faceted grains in the lower snowpack, there are no layers of concern below the crust. Snowpack depths range from about 70 to 180 cm.
Monday night
Mostly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h east outflow winds. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 45 km/h east winds. Mild inversion developing; treeline temperature -15 °C.
Wednesday
Sunny. 40 to 50 km/h east wind. Inversion; alpine temperature -10°C, valley bottom -20 °C.
Thursday
Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Inversion; alpine temperature -10°C, valley bottom -25 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
