In a sea of wind affected surfaces, lingering wind slabs remain a concern and may be tricky to recognize.
Avoid large open slopes capable of producing large avalanches.
Recent wind slab formation has been widespread, particularly in alpine terrain. Because of their dense, stubborn nature, and the possibility of a weak layer underneath, they may fracture wider than anticipated and fail no warning.
No new natural activity was reported from Friday.
Rider-triggered avalanches continue. While mostly small (size 1-1.5), wind slabs are still catching riders off guard, including both accidental and remotely triggered releases.
Wind effect has shaped the snowpack. Most exposed terrain is sastrugi or has been scoured down to old crusts. On sheltered slopes, recently formed wind slabs persist at all elevations.
20 to 60 cm of snow overlies a crust and/or surface hoar layer in isolated, wind-sheltered terrain features (primarily at treeline and below).
A January crust with associated facets is buried 100 to 200 cm deep. Below, the remainder of the snowpack is generally well settled and well bonded.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
