There are isolated areas of considerable hazard in the alpine. Higher than expected winds have made new slabs in the high alpine. Lots of spindrift coming down from alpine ridges today.
Problèmes avalancheux
Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpin
Limite forestière
Sous la limite forestière
Probabilité
Likely
Taille
1–2.5
Lots of transport in the high alpine today. Steep alpine terrain will have new windslabs of varying density depending on wind exposure.
Deep Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpin
Limite forestière
Sous la limite forestière
Probabilité
Unlikely - Possible
Taille
2–3.5
Large triggers are a concern.
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
Clear overnight with light(25km/hr) winds. Given what we saw today, the winds will be stronger above 2600m. Tomorrow will be a mix of sun and cloud with a daytime high of -9 at 2300m.
Avalanche Summary
We did see 1 cornice triggered slab on a sub-peak of Mt Lougheed. It pulled out the unsupported slope below it and then triggered another slope further down. It didn't appear to go on the deep persistent layer.
Snowpack Summary
The high alpine is experiencing stronger winds than expected. As expected, windslabs are a growing concern in the alpine. The question is are they reactive or not. We suspect yes- in certain places. Steep alpine slopes (35-40 degree plus) are suspect. The windslabs are also "laminated". Meaning that there are multiple slabs stacked up on each other with possible weaknesses between them. Open areas at treeline are less suspect as the winds haven't touched that area yet.