Although the danger rating has decreased to Moderate, it is still possible to trigger wind slabs in areas that have recently been wind-loaded. It is important to recognize these loaded zones and avoid them.
The wind slab problem is isolated to certain aspects, but they can still be triggered by skiers. Due to recent strong to extreme winds, wind slabs have formed lower down in the slopes, and there has also been significant cross-loading. Their thickness ranges from 10 to 40 cm.
No new avalanches have been observed or reported.
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Extreme winds over the weekend significantly affected the snowpack in alpine terrain and at treeline. At the surface, conditions are highly variable, with wind-hardened snow, pockets of powder, wind slabs of varying densities, and scoured areas on west-facing slopes.
Below treeline, 15 to 30 cm of light surface snow overlies a progressively denser snowpack, down to weak layers of faceted crystals and depth hoar near the ground.
On solar aspects, a sun crust is present 5 to 30 cm below the surface.
At mid-mountain elevations, the average snowpack depth is about 130 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
Cloud cover will increase on Tuesday as a system approaches from the west. Winds will shift to the southwest and temperatures will rise to around -10°C in the mountains.
Monday evening and overnight: A few clouds. West wind 20–40 km/h. Low -23°C.
Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Southwest wind 30–50 km/h. High -10°C.
Wednesday: Intermittent snow. Accumulation of 4–6 cm. West wind 40–60 km/h. High -5°C.
Thursday: Sunny. Northwest wind 20–40 km/h. High -19°C.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
