With some new snow and wind, sluffing is expected in extreme terrain and steep gully/couloir features. Watch for this if you are skiing or climbing in exposed terrain.
Continue to use caution in steeper terrain features due to the weak basal layers, and be prepared for colder temperatures in the next few days.
5-15 cm of new snow and moderate to strong S-W winds have created small wind slabs in immediate lee areas of the alpine, and some sluffing in steep gullies and cliffs.
In most areas the base of the snowpack consists of weak facets and depth hoar. Avalanche activity on this layer has been minimal but the consequenses of triggering it remain serious. Use caution in steep terrain or on planar slopes where failures in these basal facets are more likely to propagate.
Some sluffing in steep cliffs/gullies has occurred with the arrival of new snow. Ski hills reported triggering small wind slabs up to size 1 in immediate lee areas with ski cutting and explosives, and a couple of size 1 slides stepping down to the basal facets. No natural avalanche activity has been observed but visibility has been limited.
5-15 cm of storm snow has arrived with S-W winds creating some wind effect, sluffing and small wind slabs in exposed alpine and treeline areas. This new snow sits on a variety of surfaces (sun crusts, surface hoar, old wind slab) at treeline and above.
The mid-pack contains a couple of rain crusts which can be found as high as 2350 m in southern areas.
The base of the snowpack consists of a mix of weak facets and depth hoar.
Treeline snow depths range from 60-100 cm.
A drying trend is expected on Sunday as the upslope flow gradually turns off. Snow flurries will taper off and the skies will gradually become partly cloudy from north to south during the day. Light to moderate northwesterly winds at ridgetop are expected. Treeline temperatures will be between -12°C and -20°C.
For more information, click Mountain Weather Forecast.
