Wind slabs may be found in steep terrain in the alpine.
Pockets of wind slabs may be found in steep terrain features near ridges from recent northeast wind. Carefully assess for slab formation prior to committing yourself to large or consequential features.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 10 cm, 20 to 40 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -11 C.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 10 to 20 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C.
THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 10 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -9 C.
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with afternoon snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 10 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -9 C.
Avalanche activity on Sunday and Monday was limited to cornice failures, releasing naturally or by explosives. Best to stay well back of cornices when travelling on ridges, as they are very large at this time of year and could fail from your weight.
Looking forward, riders could trigger pockets of wind slabs in steep terrain features at higher elevations.
Around 5 to 10 cm of snow is expected to accumulate by Wednesday morning with associated northeast wind. Thin new wind slabs may be found in steep, lee terrain features in the alpine. This snow builds on previous dry snow that overlies a hard melt-freeze crust buried 10 to 30 cm. The melt-freeze crust likely remains on the surface at lower elevations.
Various melt-freeze crusts exist in the upper to middle snowpack, which reports suggest are bonding well. There are no deeper concerns at this time.
