Continue to use caution around old, firm wind slabs as they could still deliver a surprise. If new snowfall amounts are greater than 15 cm on Monday and Tuesday new wind slabs will form and they will be more reactive.
Recent wind from the south and west has formed wind slabs on north through east aspects that are now older and harder to trigger. As the winds shift to the north and moderate amounts of new snow are delivered be aware that newer wind slabs could form on south aspects.
No new avalanches were reported over the weekend.
A natural size 2.5 wind slab avalanche was reported from the Castle area on February 12th. It was believed to be 48-72hrs old and occurred in the immediate leeward side of a large, wind loaded north facing alpine feature.
Extensive wind effect in the alpine and at tree line. Wind slabs of various ages in lee areas (typically easterly aspects) and scouring in windward areas. A melt-freeze crust can be found below 2100 m. It may be on the surface on windward slopes and buried 30 to 60 cm deep in lee terrain. Good quality riding in powder snow was still being reported below 2000m on sheltered north aspects over the weekend.
The middle of the snowpack is consolidated. Weak faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack.
The average snowpack depth is 130 cm. Up to 200 cm can be found in wind-loaded areas.
Monday night
Mostly cloudy. Flurries delivering up to 5-10 cm of snow. Wind from the west at 15 km/h. Temperature -8˚C.
Tuesday
Cloudy in the morning with a clearing trend into the afternoon. Flurries in the morning delivering 5-10 cm of new snow. Winds from the northeast up to 20 km/h. Temperature -8˚C in the morning dropping to -12˚C by late afternoon.
WednesdayMostly clear. No new snow. Winds from the west up to 30 km/h. Temperature -10˚C to -5˚C.
ThursdayMostly clear. No new snow. Winds from the west up to 30 km/h. Temperature -7˚C to -4˚C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
