Limited field observations have been made in the past week.
Make observations as you travel and be on the lookout for signs that suggest unstable snow. Expect snow conditions to change quickly with elevation, aspect, and time of day.
Recent snowfall and southerly winds may have formed pockets of wind slabs in lee areas in the alpine.
Use caution entering lee terrain features below ridges. The snow could slide easily where it rests on a hard melt-freeze crust or faceted snow.
Cornices are large this time of year and may become weak with warm temperatures. Exposure to cornices should be minimized, especially during periods of warm temperatures or strong sun. Give them a wide berth when you are travelling on ridge lines and avoid overhead exposure to large cornices.
Rain at lower elevations may cause the snowpack to become isothermal, producing wet loose activity on steep slopes at treeline and below. Glide slab activity has been noted on steep rock slabs and grassy slopes. Avoid travelling on or below slopes with large glide cracks.
If the sun comes out on Monday, wet loose activity is likely on steep solar aspects at all elevations, especially where dry snow is seeing the sun for the first time.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries, trace to 10 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Freezing level lowering to 1000 m. Light to moderate southwesterly winds.
MONDAY: Partially cloudy with light flurries, up to 5 cm of accumulation. Freezing level rising to 1400 m in the afternoon. Light to moderate southwesterly winds.
TUESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with flurries, up to 5 cm of accumulation. Freezing level rising to 1500 m in the afternoon. Light southerly winds.
WEDNESDAY: Partially cloudy with isolated flurries. Freezing level rising to 1400 m in the afternoon. Light northwesterly winds.
Reports from the region have been very limited in the past week. Please let us know what you're seeing by filling out a MIN report!
Looking forward to Monday, we expect that reactive wind slabs may exist in lee terrain features in the alpine. Wet avalanche activity is possible on steep solar aspects and at low elevations with the potential for periods of strong solar radiation and rain.
New snow and southerly winds are expected to create fresh deposits of wind slab in the alpine. This 5-10 cm of new snow overlies a heavily wind-affected surface in exposed terrain, the product of an intense wind event early last week. In sheltered areas, the upper snowpack is faceted from recent cold temperatures, and surface hoar may exist in isolated areas. A crust can be found on steep solar aspects and at low elevations, this crust may break down throughout the day with rain or strong solar radiation. The mid and lower snowpack is well bonded with no concerning weak layers.
