Be wary of wind slabs and their potential to trigger deeper instabilities.
Most alpine and treeline areas have been affected by wind.
Recent strong to extreme winds have built windslabs in the alpine and treeline. Winds have been variable in direction so watch for reverse loading. The recent cold temperatures will preserve these windslabs for longer than usual. Avalanches may step down to the Deep Persistent Layer.
A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for a long time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
Avalanche control near Parkers on Friday Jan 17th produced slab avalanches up to size 2.5. These avalanches stepped down to the Deep Persistent layer.
A couple of wind slabs up to size two were observed on Sunwapta Peak and Nigel Peak on the 19th.
Widespread wind affect in the TL and Alpine regions. Wind slabs sit on a very weak faceted mid pack. At the bottom of the snowpack are the early season crusts, which are often surrounded by large depth hoar. The snowpack is 70-130 cm in depth at treeline. Valley bottom travel is difficult in the weak, loose facets.
ThursdayCloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -9 °C.
Ridge winds: west, 15 km/h gusting to 50 km/h.
FridayA mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -15 °C, High -12 °C.
Ridge winds: northwest, 10-30 km/h.
SaturdayA mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -14 °C, High -5 °C.
Ridge winds: northwest, 10-25 km/h.
