Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–2
Recent new snow combined with wind has formed fresh wind slabs in lee terrain features.
The message remains the same – a complex, and generally weak snowpack is best managed by continuing to stick to lower angled, low consequence terrain. Every two or three days there is a report of a persistent slab or deep persistent slab avalanche.
Recent new snow combined with wind has formed fresh wind slabs in lee terrain features.
Several weak layers in the upper and middle portions of the snowpack are at prime depths for human triggering. Stay disciplined and choose low consequence lines. Use extra caution in steep, wind-sheltered terrain where buried surface hoar is most likely to be preserved.
It remans possible that riders could trigger a weak layer of facets near the base of the snowpack. The most likely area to trigger it is in shallow areas with variable snow depths. Avoid thin and rocky start zones and select routes that avoid traveling through or under large avalanche paths.
On Friday in the central part of the region, there was a remotely triggered (from a distance) size 2 skier triggered persistent slab stepping down to deep persistent slab avalanche on a north aspect at 2400m.
On Wednesday there were two reports of natural deep persistent slab or persistent slab avalanches to size 3. These were viewed in the central part of the region and in the Dogtooth range. It seems both were triggered by heavy loads (cornice fall and wind slab avalanche stepping down) on north east and east aspects at 2500m.
There were also reports of wind slab avalanches to size 1.5 and 2.5 on north and east aspects in the alpine.
The possibility remains of triggering facets near the base of the snowpack, particularly on shallow, rocky slopes.
20-50 cm of snow since late January has settled, or has been redistributed by predominantly west or southwest wind.
60-90 cm below the surface, the mid-pack contains a layer buried in early to mid January that remains a concern. It mostly exists as surface hoar, but facets or a crust may also be present.
A layer from late November is found 75 to 150 cm deep and is part of a generally weak, faceted snowpack.
Snowpack depths range between 90 and 200 cm at treeline, with the shallowest depths found on the eastern edge of the region.
Friday Night
Mainly cloudy with clear periods. Moderate west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -6 ºC.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with sunny periods. Light to moderate west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -4 ºC. Freezing level rising to 1100m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate west and southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -4 °C. Freezing level around 1200m.
Monday
Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.