Stick to sheltered clearings and meadows where you will find the softest snow, the lowest avalanche danger, and lighter winds.
Continued snowfall and strong winds have created dense slabs that may avalanche under the weight of a human. These slabs could be found below ridges and in cross-loaded gullies.
No new avalanches have been reported, but observations in the windiest parts of the hills have been minimal.
We expect that human triggered avalanches will be likely in wind loaded terrain.
If you are getting out in the hills this weekend, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network). You can share riding conditions, snowpack observations, or even just a photo or two.
Sheltered areas may hold up to 140 cm of snow. Before Friday, north and west facing slopes were scoured, and south and east facing slopes may have had up to 300 cm. Generally stormy conditions have prevented alpine observations, but we suspect that a switch to southeast and southwest winds will result in varied wind loading and wind scouring across the forecast area.
Strong southwest winds overnight and through the day on Saturday are likely forming fresh, reactive wind slabs on north and east facing slopes.
It continued snowing in the hills even through the warm period on Friday, but the surface snow may be dense and moist below 400 m.
Friday Night
Cloudy with 5 cm of snow. 60 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling back to sea level. Alpine temperature -8 °C
Saturday
Cloudy with 2-5 cm of snow. 50 to 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Alpine temperature -12 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with 3 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Alpine temperature -15 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with up to 2 cm of snow, with the potential for localized heavier snowfall due to streamers off of the Gulf of St Lawrence. 30 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Alpine temperature -17 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
