Strong northeast wind is forecast for Wednesday. Wind slabs in alpine terrain are the main concern.
Wind slabs may form on all aspects due to wind that started from the southwest and switched to the northeast. The most likely place to trigger an avalanche is at alpine elevations where the snow surface appears smooth. Don't forget about other early-season hazards that are lurking just beneath this snow, such as rocks, trees, and creeks.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, moderate northeast wind, alpine temperature -12 C, freezing level below valley bottom.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly clear skies, strong northeast wind, alpine temperature -15 C, freezing level below valley bottom.
THURSDAY: Clear skies, light northeast wind, alpine temperature -13 C, freezing level below valley bottom.
FRIDAY: Clear skies, light northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C, freezing level below valley bottom.
Observations are very limited right now, with recreationists just starting to get into the mountains and operations starting up. We haven't received any reports of recent avalanche activity. The most likely place to trigger an avalanche would be where the ground is smooth, such as on glaciers, rock slabs, scree slopes, or grassy slopes.
If you see anything while out in the field, please consider sharing that information with us and fellow recreationists via the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Strong northeast wind may blow around the recent snow at higher elevations. This snow will overly a hard melt-freeze crust or previously bare ground. Use particular caution where the snow surface appears smooth, as this may mean an avalanche could propagate over a wider area.
