Winds are increasing the load on slopes, use extra caution when transitioning into wind affected terrain.
Outflow winds are continuing to build slabs on lee slopes. Take caution when transitioning into any wind affected terrain as winds have varied since the storm.
Storm snow is beginning to settle and form slabs at more elevations. These slabs sit over a weak layer and remain triggerable by riders.
Over the weekend, numerous storm slab avalanches were reported size 1-2 on all aspects and elevations. They were triggered naturally, by skiers, vehicles and explosives. Some were triggered remotely or sympathetically. Slabs were up to 60 cm deep and ran on a crust or facet layer beneath the storm snow.
50 to 80 cm of snow fell over the weekend. This snow was initially blown around by southeast winds, which have recently switched to outflow winds.
This recent snow is bonding poorly to an underlying weak layer formed during the January drought. Depending on aspect and elevation, the layer may exist as a hard crust, faceted grains and/or surface hoar.
The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and bonded with no other layers of concern.
Tuesday Night
Clear skies. 15 to 25 km/h outflow ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Wednesday
Mainly sunny. Light south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Thursday
Mainly sunny. Light south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Friday
Increasing cloudiness. 10-20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
