Expect to find an array of small but reactive new wind slabs and more stubborn older slabs as you enter exposed terrain. Or choose sheltered areas for better skiing/riding quality. Be ready to step back if snowfall exceeds the forecast.
A shift back to elevated southwest winds and incoming new snow is likely to form small new wind slabs over those formed recently by northerly winds. Expect to find a mix of reactive new slabs and more stubborn older ones over a wide range of aspects as you approach exposed terrain.
A MIN report from the White Pass area on Monday showed some new wind slab formation and reactivity as a result of recent northerly winds. This process likely sustained over the last couple of days of relatively consistent wind and lots of snow available to blow around.
Looking forward, a shift back to elevated southwest winds with light snowfall should keep wind slab problems active across varied aspects.
Wednesday night: Becoming clear. Light northwest winds, increasing into the morning.
Thursday: Becoming cloudy again with light furries beginning with a trace of new snow, increasing a bit overnight. Moderate southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures around -9.
Friday: Cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow, continuing overnight. Light to moderate southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures around -8.
Saturday: Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Light to moderate southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures around -11.
Around 20 cm of recent snow overlies previous surfaces, including a hard melt-freeze crust on south aspects, widespread wind effect in the alpine and in wind-exposed terrain around treeline, and settled dry snow in sheltered terrain at treeline elevations. Loose surface snow was likely blown into new wind slabs by elevated southwest winds on Tuesday.
There are no deeper concerns around White Pass.
Substantial spatial variability exists in the snowpack around the Tutshi Lake/Paddy Peak area. Terrain should be assessed on a slope by slope basis, as lingering snowpack weaknesses may still exist.
The Wheaton's continental snowpack is dominated by hard wind slabs overlying sugary facets and depth hoar. It's an untrustworthy snowpack structure that requires good terrain selection and travel habits.
