Deep instabilities are best managed through conservative terrain selection.
Be aware that variable winds have built wind slabs in atypical areas. Use caution in wind-affected areas.
Variable winds are redistributing low-density snow into thin wind slabs in exposed alpine terrain features. Avoid lee terrain features and cross-loaded slopes where wind slabs may be reactive to human triggering.
The lower snowpack is characterized by facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack in most alpine areas. The likelihood of triggering a deep persistent slab is low, however the consequence of doing so is high.
Through the weekend riders reported seeing sign of instability such as cracking when transitioning into wind-affected areas. A few natural and skier-triggered, size 1, dry loose avalanches were reported in steep terrain.
On Friday a size 2.5, natural slab avalanche was observed from a distance on a south-facing alpine slope near the Silent Pass area.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Up to 40 cm of recent, low-density snow has both been pressed and redistributed due to wind effect. This recent snow is found sitting atop a variety of old surfaces, including surface hoar, crusts and/or facets.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak with several layers of note. Of greatest concern are weak facets and/or depth hoar located at the bottom of the snowpack, particularly in alpine terrain.
Snowpack depths at treeline range from 60 to 150 cm.
Sunday Night
Clear skies with no precipitation, primarily northwest alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -22 °C.
Monday
Mainly sunny with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -16 °C.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace amounts of snow, west alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with scattered flurries, 3 to 7 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
