Microwave-Sinclair

Strong southerly winds have created fresh wind slabs in the alpine.

Avoid steep north-facing terrain where triggering a wind slab is more likely.

There has been little avalanche activity reported in the previous few days. If you do observe an avalanche, consider posting a MIN.

Looking forward, human triggering of small, fresh wind slabs and deeper, more destructive persistent weak layers remains possible.

Light new snow amounts are beginning to bury a widespread layer of surface hoar crystals, which sit over a crust on solar aspects and low elevations.

A layer of facets, surface hoar and/or a crust formed during the February drought, are buried 30 to 50 cm deep and give easy results in snowpack tests.

Deeper in the snowpack, a weak layer of facets and a crust from early December can be found. This layer appears to be dormant but is still worth managing in thin snowpack areas in the alpine.

Monday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with scattered flurries. 10 to 15 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.