Watch for pockets of wind slab in alpine lees and loose avalanches out of steep sunny slopes.
Wind slabs are possible to trigger in lee terrain features at upper elevations. They may be especially reactive where they sit over a crust.
The sun can pack a punch at this time of year. Expect solar-triggered loose avalanches on steep slopes if the sun comes out.
A handful of skier-triggered wind slab avalanches up to 30 cm deep were reported in the alpine over the last few days. Most were small (size 1), with one solar-triggered size 2 observed in the central Selkirks.
Last week, cornice failures were notably not propagating any weak layers on slopes below but there was one report of an anomalous remotely skier-triggered size 2 failing on moist snow below a recently buried crust.
A dusting of new snow falls over widespread crusty surfaces on all but high north-facing alpine terrain, where snow is dry and likely wind affected. There are no deeper concerns at this time.
Wednesday night
Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1600m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries bringing a trace. <20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2000m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 10 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2000m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2300m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
