Dangerous avalanche conditions exist on wind-loaded slopes. Sheltered terrain, away from overhead hazard will provide the safest riding.
Wind slabs remain likely at higher elevations, particularly during periods of snow and increased wind transport. Small wind slabs have the potential to step down to deeper weak layers in the upper snowpack.
Buried layers of facets, surface hoar and crusts in the snowpack are expected to be more reactive in wind-affected features, producing widely propagating avalanches.
Natural wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5 continue to be observed, likely occurring during periods of rapid loading due to strong winds. These have occurred on a variety of aspects, indicating variability in wind patterns.
Please post any photos or observations to the MIN if you head out.
Recent snow over the last week has been redistributed by primarily southwest winds. Exposed terrain may be wind-pressed or scoured down to old crusts. While wind slab formation continues to occur in leeward or cross-loaded terrain.
Two notable layers exist in the snowpack. A layer of facets from early February, up to 40 cm deep. A thick crust from late January, 50 to 100 cm deep. Both of these layers are a concern in wind-affected terrain.
The remainder of the snowpack is well settled.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 3 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
