Any available snow may be redistributed by southwest winds creating wind slabs at higher elevations.
Sheltered areas at the treeline will offer the best and safest riding.
Watch for isolated pockets of fresh windslab that may be reactive to human triggering in steep north and east-facing, leeward slopes.
The south of our region may receive more than expected amounts of snow and storm slabs in this area could occur.
Raising temperatures and recent snowfall may create the conditions for wet loose avalanches that could pose a serious risk in specific terrain.
A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. The likelihood of human triggering is low given the layer's depth.
Thinner snowpack areas may be more suspectable to triggering.
On Friday there were reports of two wind slab avalanches. Both of these avalanches were accidentally triggered by skiers with one of them being triggered remotely. Both occurred in the alpine on northwest aspects. The depth of these avalanches was 30 to 40 cm. There was no involvement in either instance.
On Wednesday, a few natural thin windslab avalanches were observed in the alpine. A siker accidental size 1.5 wind slab avalanche was reported on a northeast slope at 2150 m.
If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network). You can share riding conditions, avalanche or snowpack observations, or even just a photo.
Moderate to strong southwest winds have redistributed most available snow and created fresh wind slabs at most elevations. By Monday morning around 12 cm of new snow will have fallen and added to building wind slabs. In sheltered areas above treeline, a possible 40 cm of snow unaffected by the winds may be found. In both cases, the top layer of the snowpack overlies a widespread crust on most aspects except north-facing high alpine slopes, where it sits on old, faceted surfaces.
The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
A weak layer of large facets is found near the base of the snowpack. This layer is still a concern in shallow snowpack areas.
Sunday Night
Cloudy, up to 12 cm accumulation with the highest amounts to the south, winds southwest 60 to 70 km/h dusting to 80, freezing levels coming down to around 1000 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation potentially more in the southern portions of our region, winds southwest 30 km/h gusting to 60, freezing levels back up to 1500 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy, 5 to 10 cm accumulation, winds southerly 20 to 30 km/h, freezing levels starting at 500 m and climbing to 1500 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud, 2 cm accumulation, winds west 30 km/h, freezing levels to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
