Watch for pockets of stiff wind slab at upper elevations from recent winds. These slabs may be in atypical areas due to reverse-loading.
Variable moderate winds have redistributed storm snow into stubborn wind slabs at higher elevations. Watch for reverse loading and cross-loading in unusual spots. Wind slabs may be particularly reactive where they overlie the mid-January crust.
On Sunday, explosive control triggered a size 1.5 windslab in a reverse-loaded feature.
On Saturday, several wind slabs, up to size 1, were reported to be reactive to natural and human triggers.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
10-30 cm of storm snow can be found, affected by moderate to strong variable winds at higher elevations. New snow sits over wind-affected surfaces in exposed areas or melt-freeze crust from mid-January found up to 2100 m.
The mid snowpack continues to settle and is well consolidated. Facets exist near the base of the snowpack. Total snowpack depth ranges between 100 cm to 200 cm in wind loaded areas.
Monday Night
Mainly cloudy. Westerly ridgetop winds 60-70 km/h. Alpine high temperatures of -16°C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Moderate northwesterly ridgetop winds 50-60 km/h. Alpine low temperatures of -12°C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Moderate westerly ridgetop winds occasionally gusting 60 km/h. Alpine low temperatures of -10°C.
Thursday
Sunny with cloudy periods Moderate westerly ridgetop winds occasionally gusting 60 km/h. Alpine low temperatures of -7°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
