Recent winds have varied in direction and were cranking at the highway on Tuesday so expect wind loading on all aspects and elevations. Watch for signs of instability like cracking and recent avalanches and be ready to back off into lower angle or less wind-loaded terrain.
Recent wind direction has been variable so watch for wind loading on a variety of aspects. Likely features to find wind deposited snow include ridge crests and convexities. Whumpfing, cracking, and hollow sounds are all signs of instability that should cause you to back off into lower angle or less wind-loaded terrain.
Tuesday night: Flurries bringing up to 5 cm, strong southwest wind easing by morning, low of -12.
Wednesday: Sunny, light variable wind, high of -8.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud, moderate to strong southwest wind, high of -6.
Friday: A mix of sun and cloud, strong southwest wind, high of -4.
We have received no reports of recent avalanche activity.
Surface snow has been extensively wind affected by outflows on Monday followed by strong southwest flow Tuesday.
A shallowly buried crust (around 20 cm deep) extends up to at least 1200 m on all aspects. It appears to be well bonded to surrounding snow, and is beginning to break down. Below this, the mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas. The basal snowpack consists of weak, sugary facets.
