Continue to assess wind slabs on steep, exposed terrain, particularly in shallower areas where buried crusts may create favorable sliding surfaces.
Variable winds have created wind slabs at upper-elevations.
If triggered, wind slabs could step down to multiple buried crusts, creating larger than expected avalanches, particularly in areas with a shallower snowpack.
A few small (size 1 to 2) rider triggered avalanches where reported over the weekend. These were primarily around treeline elevations on southerly terrain, failing 10 to 40 cm deep.
Variable winds have created wind-affected surfaces at upper elevations, overlying generally low-density recent storm snow.
The mid-snowpack contains a melt-freeze crust buried in mid-December that exists at treeline elevations and below.
A second crust, buried in November, sits near the base of the snowpack and is associated with faceted snow. This layer extends into alpine terrain and has been a lingering concern throughout the season, particularly in shallow alpine areas where the mid-December crust is absent. In these locations, the November crust may lack a supportive overlying layer and remain susceptible to triggering.
Monday Night
Mostly clear skies. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
