Strong winds at upper elevations may have created small isolated pockets of wind slab.
Assess steep slopes for dense or stiff snow before committing.
You may find pockets of wind slab at treeline and above. Watch for stiff, wind-loaded snow on ribs and gullies, especially where it sits over a weak, sugary layer near the base of the snowpack
A small size 1 wind slab avalanche was reported from a north-facing slope at 2300 m. Check out this MIN REPORT for full details.
Dry Loose sluffing may be seen on steep terrain features.
At treeline and above, 3–8 cm of new snow sits on top of faceted snow or surface hoar. The upper snowpack is mixed: wind-affected in open areas and softer in sheltered spots, sitting on a crust buried 20 to 30 cm deep from early November. Lower in the snowpack, there are several crusts, and in some areas a weak, sugary facets can be found near the ground.
Total snowpack depths are roughly 60 to 80 cm, tapering quickly at lower elevations.
In many areas, especially below treeline, there is not enough snow to smooth out surface roughness or reach the threshold for avalanches.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
