Triggering wind slabs is possible. Avoid slopes that feel and look "slabby"
If you encounter natural avalanches, whumpfing and cracking in the snow, step back to simple low-angle terrain.
Human triggering wind slabs remains possible. Stiffer slabs may exist in leeward and cross-loaded terrain, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
Several natural wind slab avalanches (size 1.5) were reported on Thursday. They were primarily seen on north through northeast aspects from 1200 to 1500 m.
By Thursday the region saw up to 30 cm of new snow accompanied by strong southerly wind. The new snow is building deep drifts of wind-deposited snow on lee and cross-loaded slopes, forming fresh wind slabs. These sit over firm, wind-affected surfaces in exposed areas, faceted snow in sheltered terrain, and a crust on steep solar aspects. A poor bond to these interfaces may exist.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 60 to 150 cm deep. This layer exists on all aspects up to 1750 m. This layer has not been active in producing avalanches or test results in several weeks and is generally not a concern at this time.
At the highway elevation, the snow depth is 120 cm, and in the alpine exceeds 200 cm.
Friday Night
Clear periods with isolated flurries. 15 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with 3 to 8 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 25 to 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
