Strong winds over the past few days have negatively affected the ski quality. Watch for pockets of wind slabs that may be triggered in steep terrain with a shallow snowpack.
Weather Forecast
Winds will shift to the SW overnight. Monday should bring light precipitation and ridge-top temperatures near -8 celsius. Snowfall accumulations are expected to be near 6cm on Monday and 7cm on Tuesday.
Avalanche Summary
One size 1.0 slab avalanche was observed on a south aspect at 2400m in Ranger Creek. Otherwise no other avalanches were observed or reported.
Snowpack Summary
Surface hoar (up to 4mm) and surface faceting in sheltered areas Below Tree Line. The snowpack is settling. Widespread wind effect in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline. Surface conditions at these elevations are variable but include hard wind slabs, soft wind slabs and sastrugi.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.