Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
Sunday night: Partly cloudy / Light east wind / Low of -17 / Freezing level valley bottom.
Monday: Mostly sunny / Light east wind / High of -4 / Freezing level 900 m.
Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light east wind / High of -6 / Freezing level valley bottom.
Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light east wind / High of -5 / Freezing level valley bottom.
A naturally triggered size 2 cornice failure triggered a small wind slab on a north aspect in the alpine on Saturday.
10-20 cm of recent snow buries a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2200 m and up to mountain tops on solar aspects.
Recent strong winds from a variety of directions formed wind slabs on lee aspects in the alpine.
The prominent layer in the upper snowpack is a melt-freeze crust down 60-80 cm.
Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.
