Strong southwest wind will build fresh and reactive wind slabs at upper elevations. Wind slabs have the potential to step down to a deeper weak layer.
Wet loose avalanches are likely.
Recent storm snow combined with strong southwest wind may be forming fresh and reactive wind slabs. Expect to find these near ridge crests and below steep roll overs.
Even a small wet loose avalanche can have enough power to push you into or over a terrain trap such as a cliff or ditch.
Storm and wind slab avalanches were reported size 1 to 2.5 and triggered naturally, by humans and explosives. Most were on northwest to northeast aspects at upper elevations.
Upper elevations may see reactive wind slabs and wind-affected snow surfaces. Moist snow surfaces may exist up to 1800 m or higher.
The prominent mid-December facet/crust layer is buried over 1 m deep and extends up to 2200 m. Triggering the crust is considered unlikely, except with large loads or in thin snowpack areas.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear skies. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 2 to 5 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Friday
Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m. Alpine temperature inversion with a high of 0 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
