North Rockies

Watch for wind slabs on steep alpine terrain features.

Moderate

• We are uncertain whether the wind will be enough to form new wind slabs.

A few small dry loose avalanches were reported over the weekend involving 30 cm of low-density snow above a crust. Otherwise, recent activity is limited to older wind slabs from last week’s storm.

Wind slabs may remain reactive longer than usual due to poor bonding to the crust.

5 to 30 cm of low-density snow fell over the weekend, now sitting over older wind-affected snow.

A thick crust from the mid-March atmospheric river is buried 40 to 80 cm deep and extends up to about 1500 m.

Below the crust, the snowpack is strong and well bonded.

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and clouds. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.