The wind has affected the snow right up to tree line. Beware of wind-loaded areas, especially on convexities and slopes without downhill support.
The moderate north-easterly wind continues to create windslabs in the alpine and at treeline. With snow still available for transport, we can expect to encounter reactive windslabs in start zones, under convexities and in cross-loading zones. Windslabs rest on facets, making them more sensitive to triggering.
No new avalanche was reported or observed.
If you go into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
In the alpine, the new snow (around 10-12 cm) have been wind blown and formed new windslabs. There is significantly more snow on the southern and eastern slopes. North and west-facing slopes are mostly free of snow, apart from couloirs and other depressions.
At and below treeline, in areas protected from the wind, 15 to 25 cm of low-density snow cover a layer of dense snow. The latter rests on 2 to 10 cm of facets that have developed on top of the New Year's Day melt-freeze crust. At these elevations, the best snow is found on the northern slopes.
The average height of the snowpack is approximately 100 cm, but varies greatly according to aspect and elevation.
Synopsis: Cloudy with light snow showers on Monday, then fairly sunny with comfortable temperatures for the rest of the week.
Sunday evening and night: Becoming cloudy overnight. Wind northeast, 30-40 km/h. Low -15.
Monday: Cloudy. Light snow, accumulation of 1 to 2 cm. Wind northeast, 30 to 50 km/h. High -11.
Tuesday: Clearing in the afternoon. Wind 20 to 30 km/h from the northeast. Maximum -6.
Wednesday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind 10 to 20 km/h from the northwest. Maximum -4.
For more details, check out the most recent alpine weather forecast.
