Low danger is a great time to explore complex terrain.
Evaluate steep lines for small wind slabs that may knock you off your feet.
Moderate north winds may form thin, new wind slabs on south-facing slopes. These may slide easily where they overlie a melt-freeze crust.
In periods of low danger, avalanche activity is unlikely. Continue to practice good travel habits.
On Saturday, a few size 2 wet loose avalanches were reported on steep, south-facing slopes in the alpine.
Consider submitting to the Mountain Information Network if you have been in the backcountry.
Wind has redistributed recent snow, forming pressed surfaces and wind slabs in open terrain while leaving 15-30 cm of soft snow in sheltered areas. A breakable melt-freeze crust covers most solar slopes.
A buried surface hoar or crust layer, 40 to 60 cm deep, is variable in distribution and has produced some test results but no recent avalanches. Similarly, a December crust with facets, 100 to 150 cm deep on all aspects up to 1750 m, has shown no recent activity or significant test results.
Snow depth ranges from 100 cm at highway elevations to over 300 cm in the alpine.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 40 to 50 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy. 40 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
