Avoid wind loaded features.
Wind slabs are expected to increase in size and sensitivity throughout the day, human triggering is likely.
Recent wind affect is extensive, wind slabs could be found on most exposed features. Wind slabs triggered at higher elevations could run below treeline. Buried weak layers may be reactive in wind affected terrain.
Early reports from our field team indicate that natural wind slab avalanches likely occurred during the day on Wednesday.
On Monday, natural and human triggered size 1 wind slabs were reported on many aspects at treeline.
Reports in this region are limited, please post any photos or observations to the MIN if you head out.
By Thursday afternoon up to 25 cm of new snow may have accumulated. This new snow will be accompanied by strong to extreme southwest wind, forming deeper deposits on north and east aspects. Windward slopes may be scoured back to an old crust.
Two prominent layers exist in the snowpack:
· A layer of facets from early February down up to 40 cm.
· A thick crust from late January down 50 to 70 cm
The remainder of the snowpack is well settled.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 5 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
