Lingering wind slabs may remain surprisingly reactive to human triggers in areas where they are sitting on a layer of small surface hoar. Additional snow and shifting northwest winds on Monday may create fresh wind slabs.
20-40 cm of recent storm snow and strong southerly winds have created wind slabs at treeline and above. These wind slabs may be surprisingly reactive in areas where they are sitting on a layer of small surface hoar. Additional snow and shifting northwest winds may create small fresh wind slabs on Monday.
A crust from early November exists down about 80-100 cm. This layer has weak, sugary facets above and below it. This layer is most likely to be reactive to human triggers in shallow, rocky, snowpack areas in the alpine.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy / Moderate to strong, southwest wind / alpine low temperature -11 / Freezing level valley bottom.
MONDAY: Snow, 5-15 cm / Moderate to strong, northwest wind / alpine high temperature -6 / Freezing level 1000 m.
TUESDAY: Sunny / Light, northwest wind / alpine high temperature -8 / Freezing level valley bottom.
WEDNESDAY: Sunny / Light, south wind / alpine high temperature +2 / Strong inversion with an above freezing layer of air above 2000 m.
There have been very few reports of avalanches in the region, however, observations are very limited at this time. Several recent MIN reports from neighboring Glacier National Park have reported human triggered avalanches on small surface hoar below the recent storm snow.
If you get out into the mountains, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network!
20-40 cm of recent storm snow and strong southerly winds have created wind slabs at treeline and above. These wind slabs may be surprisingly reactive in areas where they are sitting on a layer of small surface hoar. This layer has been described as “spotty” and may only be found in specific areas. A crust from early November exists down approximately 90-130 cm. This crust has been observed to have weak, sugary facets above and below it.
