Alpine and exposed tree line lee features are a suspect for the recently formed wind slabs.It is still early season conditions out there, thick to thin transitions within the snowpack are likely spots to trigger the deep persistent slab.
Friday and Saturday's winds have formed pockets of windslab in isolated lee locations. They appear to be stubborn to initiate. Saturday's team observed shooting cracks from their skis at an alpine ridgetop lee feature in the Bald Hills area. Avoid wind loaded large unsupported terrain.
A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for along time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
Sunday's patrol to Mt. Kerkeslin did not notice any new avalanches. Saturday's Maligne field team reported cracking under skis 10m long on unsupported steep convex lee slopes but no natural avalanches were observed in the area.
Friday-Saturday's moderate-strong winds blew the few cm's of new snow and available surface snow into isolated pockets of wind slab. The 7mm Surface Hoar that formed last week is likely flattened by winds but assume it could be preserved under a few centimeters of new snow in sheltered locations. An older buried surface hoar layer is found in sheltered alpine areas 40cm down. Lower down in the snowpack there are crusts with large faceted crystals above and below.
Tuesday brings cloudy weather with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Trace of snow possible throughout the day. High of -9 in the alpine. Light SW ridge winds
Wednesday: Snow accumulation of 13 cm. Alpine temperature up to -5 C. Moderate SW ridge winds gusting to strong.
