Wind slabs remain possible following recent snow, wind, and cooling temperatures.
Significant uncertainty remains about how recent rapid weather changes have affected the snowpack.
Recent snow at higher elevations, accompanied by strong winds, has formed reactive wind slabs. Cool temperatures may prolong their reactivity, even if winds ease on Monday.
Several persistent weak layers of surface hoar, facets, or crusts may be buried in the top meter of the snowpack. Wind slabs could step down to these layers, causing larger-than-expected avalanches.
While there were reports of loose wet avalanche activity on Saturday, we do not suspect these types of avalanches to continue with much colder temperatures going forward.
Roughly 5 to 15 cm of snow fell on Saturday at higher elevations, accompanied by strong southwesterly winds. This snow has likely buried a recently formed crust at all but the highest elevations. At lower elevations, Saturday’s storm began as rain before turning to snow, leaving a dusting of snow over crusty or moist surfaces.
Variable weak layers buried throughout February may persist roughly 30 to 100 cm below the surface. These layers consist of surface hoar, facets, and/or crusts. We hope to gain more clarity on their current reactivity following the recent warm temperatures, which may have helped stabilize them.
The remaining snowpack appears to be strong and well-bonded.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
