Assess for new wind slabs prior to committing to steep terrain features.
Strong wind and a bit of new snow on Wednesday night may form new wind slabs in exposed terrain features. These slabs may be touchy to riders and could take some time to bond to the snowpack.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, 40 to 80 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -21 C.
THURSDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries and afternoon clearing, trace accumulation, 20 km/h north wind, alpine temperature -22 C.
FRIDAY: Clear skies with no precipitation, 20 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -22 C.
SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 60 to 90 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -14 C.
No recent avalanches have been observed in the North Rockies. It is suspected that wind slabs will be triggerable by riders on Thursday.
We'd appreciate if you submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network, even just a photo.
A bit of new snow and strong wind are likely to form new wind slabs in exposed terrain Wednesday night. These slabs will overly previously wind-affected snow, sugary faceted grains, or surface hoar.
A weak layer of feathery surface hoar may be found around 20 to 50 cm deep. It is most likely to be found in sheltered alpine features, around treeline, or open features below treeline. We've only received a few reports of this layer, so it may be spotty in the region.
The remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled and strong.
