Wind slabs likely exist in steep terrain at higher elevations.
Wind slabs may be found in steep terrain features near ridges from northeast wind. Use particular caution if more than 20 cm of snow accumulates over the day in your local riding area.
On Sunday, avalanche activity was limited to cornices, releasing naturally or by explosives. Otherwise, evidence of old wet avalanches was observed.
Looking forward, riders could trigger wind slabs in steep terrain features at higher elevations. Best to stay well back of cornices too, as they are very large at this time of year.
MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 10 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C.
TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm with local amounts up to 20 cm possible, 20 to 40 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -11 C.
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 10 to 20 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -9 C.
THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, 10 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C.
New snow on Tuesday will accumulate onto the 10 to 20 cm of dry, wind-affected snow that sits above a hard melt-freeze crust in alpine terrain. Wind slabs may be found in steep, lee terrain features from strong northeast to southeast wind. At and below treeline, snow will accumulate onto a hard melt-freeze crust.
A melt-freeze crust that formed late March to early April is found 60 to 100 cm deep. Avalanches were sliding on this layer last week, but activity has since decreased. The likelihood of triggering this layer is low given the cool weather.
There are no deeper concerns at this time.
