Strong wind forecast overnight will likely transport recent snow into fresh, reactive wind slabs at upper elevations. Watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks in wind loaded lee features such as beneath ridge crests and roll-overs.
Strong westerly wind forecast overnight will likely transport recent snow into fresh, reactive wind slabs at upper elevations. Watch for wind loaded pockets in lee terrain features such as beneath ridge crests and roll-overs.
Tuesday night: Increasing cloud. Moderate westerly wind, strong above 2000 m. Alpine high temperatures around -5. Freezing level 1200 m.
Wednesday: Up to 5 cm new snow. Moderate westerly wind. Alpine high temperatures around -5. Freezing level 1500 m.
Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud. Light wind. Alpine high temperatures around -4. Freezing level 1700 m.
Friday: Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate westerly wind. Alpine high temperatures around -1. Freezing level 2000 m.
Storm slabs were reactive to explosives on Monday, size 1-1.5. With strong overnight winds forecast, more slab activity is anticipated for Tuesday.
A large (size 2) glide slab occurred overnight Friday on a lower elevation slope on Mt. Fernie. It may have been coaxed into action by overnight rainfall. This serves as a great reminder to avoid slopes with glide cracks on them at all times. They are inherently unstable and can release at any time.
20-30 cm of new snow has been accumulating incrementally over recent days on top of wind affected surfaces at higher elevations and over a mix of refrozen or still wet snow at treeline and below. This new snow is most likely being blown around by strong winds forecast overnight Tuesday and into Monday morning, forming fresh wind slabs in lee terrain features at upper elevations. The snowpack is otherwise well settled and strong.
