carefully assess snowpack conditions as you gain elevation. A tricky weak layer exists in the alpine and new wind slabs are likely to increase in size and reactivity.
Use
New snow and ongoing southwest winds will form wind slabs on north and east aspects. These new wind slabs likely won't bond well to the underlying surfaces.
Avoid steep rocky slopes near ridge crests where these slabs might be capable of stepping down to deeper layers.
Buried weak layers have recently produced large, surprising avalanches. The most recent avalanche activity has been observed on north to northeast alpine terrain on preserved surface hoar buried 50-80 cm. Keep in mind the potential for remotely triggered avalanches and how far these large avalanches can run into flatter terrain.
Stiff slabs can pull back into flatter terrain above them. These layers will be easier to trigger where the snowpack is thin.
This MIN discusses new wind slab formation. We expect wind slabs to increase in size and reactivity.
A couple of large (size 2-3) persistent slab, human-triggered and natural avalanches were reported last week. These avalanches occurred near ridgetops in north-to-northeast alpine terrain. These avalanches have shown an impressive capability to propagate across large distances. Here is a link to the most recent human-triggered size 3 avalanche.
If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
New snow continues to accumulate with southwest winds forming wind slabs on north and east aspects. New snow is resting on a variety of wind-affected surfaces and crusts with small surface hoar in places in the alpine. Below roughly 1700 m a widespread 5-10cm melt-freeze crust is present at or near the surface.
A concerning persistent weak layer of surface hoar and/or facets is 50-80 cm deep and exists on north facing alpine features.
Check out this MIN from our field team to learn more.
Sunday Night
Cloudy with up to 10cm of new snow possible. Moderate to strong southerly winds and a low of -5 at 1500m.
Monday
Increasing cloud throughout the day with up to 5cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate southwest winds and a high of -5 at 1500m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with up to 5cm of new snow expected. Moderate south winds and a high of -5 at 1500m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing a few centimeters of new snow. Light to moderate southwest winds and a high of -8 at 1500m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
