Wind slab releases remain a concern in the alpine, continue to assess as you travel. Steep, rocky, shallow terrain are the most likely trigger areas for the persistent weak layer.
Wind slabs formed on the weekend are becoming more difficult to trigger but may be reactive where they overlie surface hoar or a melt-freeze crust.
The early December weak layer remains a concern in areas with a shallow snowpack, particularly on steep rocky slopes.
Wind slab avalanche activity continues to be reported in the region. Reports have identified them to be more reactive where they overlie a surface hoar layer. Check out this MIN for more information on wind slab activity in the Jumbo Pass area.
Roughly 2 to 4 cm of new snow has buried various surfaces of sun-crust, surface hoar, and wind-affected snow. Wind slabs can still be found in lee features over a surface hoar layer.
A weak layer of facets buried in early December is on average 60 to 90 cm deep. In the shallower eastern parts of the Purcells, this layer is closer to 30 cm deep. This layer continues to cause occasional large avalanches.
The snowpack base consists of a thick crust and facets in many areas.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Thursday
Partly cloudy. Isolated flurries, 2 to 4 cm. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Friday
Partly cloudy. Isolated flurries,2 to 4 cm. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
