Isolated pockets of stiff wind slab may exist, especially on wind sheltered slopes where buried surface hoar exists. Assess before dropping into your line.
Rider triggerable wind slab may still be found near ridge crests. They will likely be more reactive if they overlie facets or surface hoar.
A size 2 natural slab avalanche was reported on Thursday but the avalanche likely occurred on Wednesday. Click on the picture for more details.
Variable surface conditions exist at all elevations. New surface hoar has formed at treeline and below in sheltered terrain. South facing slopes has a mix of scouring, wind hammered surface snow, a crust and potentially moist snow in the afternoon. Soft snow can still be found on sheltered north facing terrain.
A layer of surface hoar may be found down 20 to 60 cm in north facing, sheltered terrain. It may be an isolated problem at the moment but good to try to get some observations or test suspect slopes before jumping into your line.
A thick melt-freeze crust is found down 50 to 100 cm below 1500 m. this layer is not currently a concern.
Thursday Night
Clear skies. 5 to 20 km/h ridgetop wind from the southeast. Above freezing layer above 1500 m.
Friday
Sunny. 15 to 30 km/h easterly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3°C. Above freezing layer above 1500 m.
Saturday
Sunny with cloudy periods. 15 to 30 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Possible temperature inversion lingers, and treeline temperature -4°C and colder temperatures below.
Sunday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures near -8°C and colder temperatures below.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
