Recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to human traffic. We've received quite the dump of snow in the past week, which may take a bit more time to stabilize.
Slabs formed from recent storm snow may still be triggered. Wind slabs may be the touchiest, existing in lee terrain features from strong east to southwest wind. Storm slabs may still be found in sheltered terrain features.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation trace in the north of the island and 5 in the south, 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature 0 C, freezing level 1200 m.
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, 50 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperature -6 C.
SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -3 C.
SUNDAY: Early-morning snowfall then partly cloudy, accumulation 5 cm, 40 km/h south wind, treeline temperature 3 C, freezing level rising to 2000 m.
Several wind slab avalanches were triggered around treeline elevations on Thursday, all within the recent 10 to 30 cm of storm snow.
Avalanche activity may decrease for Friday, but it still remains possible that humans could trigger recently formed slabs.
We'd appreciate any observations while you are out travelling, even just a photo, on the Mountain Information Network.
Storm and wind slabs have formed from around 30 to 50 cm of recent snow. The storm slabs are likely found in areas sheltered from the wind while wind slabs are likely found in lee terrain features at higher elevations. This snow builds on the 100+ cm of snow that has fallen since January 1, which reports indicate is bonding well to the snowpack.
The middle and base of the snowpack are strong, consisting of well-bonded snow and various hard melt-freeze crusts.
