Assess for drifts and stiff wind slabs in exposed terrain. Cohesive slabs formed on the surface may take some time to bond to the underlying surfaces.
Cold, northerly winds are redistributing the new, low-density, snow into drifts and firm wind slabs. With cold temperatures wind slabs will take longer then usual to stabilize and bond to the underlaying, hard surfaces.
No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days.
If you head out into the mountains, please share your photos or observations on the Mountain Information Network. Your information helps us understand local conditions!
Up to 50 cm of low-density snow has fallen since Sunday. The new snow is generally light, loose, and unconsolidated. Making it easily redistributed in areas exposed to wind.
Buried by the new snow is a variety of firm, previously wind-affected surfaces. In sheltered terrain at lower elevations, the new snow overlays large surface hoar and a sun crust on solar aspects.
The lower snowpack is generally well settled and bonding well.
At treeline the snowpack depth is roughly 200 cm.
Tuesday night
Clearing throughout the night, with trace amounts of snow. Temperatures -20 to -30 C and moderate Northeast winds in the alpine.
Wednesday
Sunny, with no precipitation. Temperatures -20 to -30 C and Moderate to strong Easterly winds in the alpine.
Thursday
Sunny with periods of cloud. No Precipitation. Temperatures -20 to -30 C and moderate Easterly winds in the alpine.
Friday
Cloudy with snow, 10 to 20 cm. Temperatures of -5 to -15 C and moderate to strong Southwest winds. Freezing levels rise to around 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
