South Rockies

Strong winds may have created wind slabs in unexpected areas, potentially lower on the slope.

Assess for wind slab before committing to steep lines.

On Thursday a size 2.5 avalanche was triggered using explosives. No other avalanches have been reported in the region since Tuesday.

If you are headed into the backcountry please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.

Ongoing westerly wind has heavily impacted the snowpack . Westerly slopes are scoured and isolated wind slabs could exist on leeward aspects in the alpine and treeline. These slabs could overlie facets. The wind affect is most extensive on the east side of the Continental Divide.

At treeline and below a layer of facets over a crust, from early December, can be found down 40 to 70 cm.

The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.

Treeline snowpack depth varies significantly across the region, from 50 to 200 cm.

Saturday Night

Mix of cloud and clear sky with trace amounts of snow possible. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of snow possible. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly Sunny. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.