Assess for wind slabs in steep terrain near ridges. They may be found on all aspects due to a variable wind direction.
Strong wind from variable directions has formed wind slabs on slopes adjacent to ridges. Assess for slab properties before entering steep terrain.
A few small to large (size 1 to 2) wind slabs were triggered naturally and by riders on Tuesday. They were 20 to 40 cm thick and occurred on north to east aspects at treeline and alpine elevations.
Looking forward, it remains possible for riders to trigger similar avalanches.
Wind from variable directions has likely formed wind slabs and a wind-affected snow surface on all aspects in wind-exposed terrain.
In sheltered terrain, 30 to 60 cm of snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust from early February. Below this, a layer of surface hoar, facets, and/or crust from late January is buried around 100 cm. Neither of these layers are presently a concern.
The remainder of the snowpack is consolidated.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -23 °C.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -19 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
