Watch for small new wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. Ongoing northeast wind is causing reverse loading.
Recent and ongoing northeast winds have redistributed the recent snowfall into small reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain features. These slabs sit over a firm melt-freeze crust which may increase their reactivity.
Monday night: Mainly cloudy with light flurries, moderate to strong northeast wind, treeline low around -14 °C.
Tuesday: Mainly cloudy with light flurries and a chance of sunny breaks, moderate northeast wind, treeline high around -8 °C.
Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with a chance of light flurries and sunny breaks, light to moderate northeast wind, treeline high around -8 °C.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud, light northeast wind, treeline high around -6 °C.
On Sunday, solar-triggered size 1 wet loose avalanches were observed from steep alpine terrain features.
Observations are very limited this time of year. If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider contributing to the Mountain Information Network.
10-20 cm of recent snowfall has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust which formed during the major warming event at the end of last week. Periods of strong southwest wind on Saturday had formed reactive wind slabs which are now expected to have stabilized. Moderate to strong northeast wind on Monday and Tuesday is expected to be redistributing any remaining unconsolidated snow in exposed high elevation terrain forming small new wind slabs.
Multiple crusts exist in the upper snowpack which are considered stable and well bonded with the current cold conditions. The middle and lower snowpack are currently well settled and strong.
