Whumpfing has been reported on pockets of stiff wind slab created by recent northerly winds. These slabs have formed in atypical areas and could be more reactive where they overlie a slick crust.
Northerly outflow winds have redistributed snow into stiff wind slabs in lee south aspect terrain. Wind slabs may be reactive to human triggering where they overlie a slick crust. Seek out sheltered terrain where you can avoid wind slabs and find good riding.
No new avalanches were reported over the weekend though whumpfing on stiff wind slab at upper treeline and alpine elevations was reported.
Riders should be cautious around pockets of stiff wind slab in the alpine and treeline. These slabs may fail easily where they overlie a slick crust and will be in more atypical locations, as northerly winds have created a reverse-loading pattern.
Thank you for all the MINs, please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Northerly outflow winds have affected open areas in the alpine and treeline, scouring windward slopes and redistributing this storm snow into pockets of stiff wind slabs in lee areas. A crust exists on the surface at lower elevations and on steep solar aspects to 1800 m. Softer snow still exists in sheltered areas at treeline and below.
Generally, the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled. Weak layers exist within the mid and lower snowpack but the thick crusts sitting above them make triggering avalanches on these layers unlikely.
Snowpack depths are 150 to 200 cm at treeline and taper rapidly below 1500 m.
Monday night
Becoming cloudy. Wind from the northwest at 30 km/h. Temperatures rise to -8˚C. No new precipitation.
Tuesday
Cloudy. Wind from the northwest at 30 km/h changing to west at 30 km/h. Temperatures steady around -8˚C. 2-5 cm of new snow
Wednesday
Cloudy. Wind from the southwest at 20 km/h. Alpine temperatures near -4˚C. Freezing levels up to 750m. 5-10cm of new snow in the alpine.
Thursday
A mix of sun and clouds. Wind from the southwest up to 15 km/h. Temperatures in the alpine rising to near 0˚C. No new precipitation.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
