Warming alpine temperatures could increase wind slab reactivity.
Wind slab sensitivity may increase with warming alpine temperatures.
Surface slabs may sit above layers of weak surface hoar, prolonging their reactivity.
Several wind slab avalanches have been reported in recent days, triggered by a variety of factors. Most of the avalanches have occurred around ridge crests and on multiple aspects. Notably, some slabs failed on a buried surface hoar layer, located 30 to 40 cm deep.
A thin crust or moist snow can be found on sun-affected slopes depending on the time of day. Variable wind-affected snow exists in wind-exposed terrain. While low-density, faceted powder can still be found in wind-sheltered terrain on primarily north through east aspects.
In the upper snowpack, layers of surface hoar buried throughout January are present, roughly 30 to 60 cm deep, and have shown signs of reactivity in areas where a cohesive slab has formed above.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong, with no current concerns.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear skies. 10 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Sunny. 10 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C, while areas may experience above-freezing alpine temperatures.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C, while areas may experience above-freezing alpine temperatures.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
