Wind slabs remain possible to trigger, especially on steep slopes below ridgetops.
Triggering large persistent slabs may be possible in areas without a thick crust above the weak layer.
20 to 35 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds formed wind slabs on lee aspects at upper elevations. These slabs are most likely to be reactive on steep slopes below ridgetops.
Cornice failures could trigger very large persistent slabs.
Persistent weak layers may linger in the upper snowpack. Triggering may be possible in areas without a thick/supportive crust above the weak layer, most likely at upper elevations.
On Wednesday, numerous skier triggered wind slabs up to size 1.5 were reported on primarily north and east aspects at treeline and above.
Last week's rain and warm temperatures triggered a widespread natural slab avalanche cycle up to size 3.5.
If you are heading into the backcountry, please consider sharing conditions via the MIN.
20 to 35 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds formed wind slabs on lee aspects at upper elevations. These slabs are most likely to be reactive on steep slopes below ridgetops.
The recent snow sits on a crust on solar aspects and dry snow on northerly aspects at upper elevations.
Below this, 40 to 70 cm of moist snow sits above a crust (1 to 10 cm thick). Various persistent weak layers may still exist in the top 120 cm of the snowpack. These may remain possible to trigger at upper elevations in areas where the crust above the weak layer is not supportive.
In shallow snowpack areas, depth hoar (large facets) can be found near the bottom of the snowpack.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear skies. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Friday
Sunny. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Saturday
Sunny. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
