Powder snow still exists below treeline, while slopes at upper elevations are wind-affected. If venturing on steep convex slopes, be mindful of thin rocky areas where triggering is likely.
Isolated wind slabs have developed in start zones, convexities and cross-loaded areas. Although small, these slabs can get triggered near rock outcroppings where the snowpack is thin.
Thursday, a group of skiers accidentally triggered a size 1 wind slab avalanche on a north-east, leeward alpine slope, at La Grande Cuve, Mont Albert. The failure plane was a weak layer of facets, buried under the wind-affected snow.
If you go into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
In the alpine and wind-affected areas, wind-pressed surfaces, isolated pockets of recently drifted snow, or hard wind slabs are found.
These slabs are overlying older/denser snow or a weak layer of facet grains. This was the failure plane of the avalanche triggered on February 22 at Grande Cuve.
About 15-20 cm of cold powdery snow can be found in sheltered slopes. The mid-snowpack is well consolidated, resting on the December 30 combo of facets and crust. Facets and depth hoar are developing at the base of the snowpack.
Synopsis: A high-pressure system will build in on Sunday, bringing sunny skies and light wind.
Saturday evening and night: Partly cloudy. Wind northwest, 30-40 km/h. Minimum -20.
Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Wind southwest, 20-30 km/h. Maximum -7.
Monday: Period of snow. 2 cm. Wind southwest, 20-30 km/h. Maximum -5.
Tuesday: Cloudy with clear period. Wind southwest, 30-50 km/h. Maximum -1
For more details, check out the most recent alpine weather forecast.
