Be mindful of hazards from wind slabs and cornices. Check out the newest forecaster blog as you plan your spring objectives.
Recent outflow wind has left slabs on west and south-facing slopes in the alpine and near ridgetops at treeline. These slabs could remain reactive to human triggering for a few more days.
Cornices are large this time of year and may have been weakened by recent cold temperatures. Exposure to cornices should be minimized, especially during periods of warm temperatures or strong sun. Give them a wide berth when you are travelling on ridge lines and avoid overhead exposure to large cornices.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear. Alpine temperature drops to -14 C. 10-25 km/h winds from the east.
SATURDAY: Sunny. Freezing level rises to 1000 m, alpine temperature rises to +1 C. 5-15 km/h winds from the south.
SUNDAY: Sunny. Alpine temperature rises to +2 C. 10-30 km/h winds from the south.
MONDAY: Increasing cloud and incoming flurries. Alpine temperatures rises to +3 C, freezing level rising above 1600 m. Southeast wind increasing to 60 km/h.
On Thursday, explosives triggered wind slabs size 1-2 on south-southeast aspects. A skier triggered a size 1 wind slab on a northwest aspect at 1700 m. Additionally, a vary large (size 3.5) natural cornice failure triggered a deep slab on the steep slope below which ran full path. On Wednesday in the north of the region, several natural wind slabs (size 1.5-2) were observed in the alpine as a result of strong outflow winds loading west-facing aspects. One natural cornice failure was also observed (size 2.5) that did not pull a slab on the slope below.
Numerous natural wind slabs (size 2-3) were observed in the alpine on Monday and Tuesday as a result of northeasterly outflow winds. These wind slabs mainly occurred on west-facing slopes. Looking forward, wind slabs may still exist in lee areas in the alpine and exposed treeline. Riders should minimize overhead exposure to cornices and give them a wide berth when travelling at ridge crest.
Open terrain has been affected by strong outflow wind that has scoured east-facing slopes and loaded snow onto west-facing slopes. Sheltered areas may still have soft snow. Below 1200 m, a widespread crust exists on the surface. Above 1200 m, 40 to 80 cm of settled storm snow rests on a hard melt-freeze crust from late March. The snow has been bonding to this crust.
