North Rockies

Small wind slabs are resting on a crust in immediate lee features, ridge crests and in sharp breaks in terrain.

Watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks.

Small, naturally triggered wind slab avalanches were reported on Friday, sliding on the firm crust that is everywhere in the region.

If you head out consider posting to the mountain information network.

Up to 15 cm of dry snow has been redistributed by strong west winds in that alpine and has accumulated atop a widespread hard crust. In general, the crust is strong and supportive to travel on.

Currently, it's unlikely that any lingering weak layers deeper in the snowpack could be triggered due to the strong supportive crust above.

Last week's warm temperatures significantly melted the snowpack below the treeline and in shallow alpine terrain. See the North Rockies MIN post for photos of conditions in the Morfee area.

Areas in the east of the region are largely characterized by a shallow and faceted snowpack.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, 30 to 50 km/h west alpine wind, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy, 20 to 30 km/h southwest alpine wind, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

Mostly sunny, 40 to 60 km/h northwest alpine wind, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly clear, 30 to 40 km/h north alpine wind, treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• Expect shallow snow cover that barely covers ground roughness.
• Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.