Watch for new wind slabs perched in steep, leeward terrain features in wind exposed areas at upper elevations. Mellower sheltered slopes likely offer the best skiing and riding quality.
New wind slabs may exist in leeward terrain features at upper elevations. Continuing light flurries and intermittently elevated winds should keep this problem reactive (but small) in the coming days.
Monday: Partly cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5cm of new snow. Light to moderate northeast wind. Alpine high temperatures around -7.
Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light westerly wind. Alpine high temperatures around -4. Freezing level 1600 m.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Strong southwest wind. Alpine high temperatures around -4. Freezing level 1500 m.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy. Light southerly wind. Alpine high temperatures around -4. Freezing level 1500 m.
Small natural dry loose releases from steep alpine terrain were observed in the Fernie area on Saturday. Additional light flurries and increased winds formed small but reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain on Sunday.
A large (size 2) glide slab occurred overnight Friday on a lower elevation slope on Mt. Fernie. It may have been coaxed into action by overnight rainfall. This serves as a great reminder to avoid slopes with glide cracks on them at all times. They are inherently unstable and can release at any time.
15-20 cm of new snow has accumulated over wind affected surfaces at higher elevations and over a mix of refrozen or still wet snow at treeline and lower. Small new wind slabs have likely formed (or will form) in leeward terrain features at exposed elevations. The snowpack is otherwise well settled and strong.
