Take a cautious approach to wind-loaded areas as southerly winds may be forming fresh, reactive wind slabs. As you travel through terrain be alert to changes with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
Fresh slabs may form throughout the day as southerly winds redistribute recent storm snow. Use ribs and high points to avoid wind-loaded areas and watch for changing conditions throughout the day.
A few natural wind slab avalanches have been reported on north and east aspects throughout the week. Most of them have been small (size 1), although the AvCan field team did see one larger (size 2) wind slab that likely occurred on Monday (photos here).
30 to 40 cm of recent storm snow can still be found in wind-sheltered terrain, while exposed alpine terrain has likely been impacted by strong southerly winds. The recent snow is well bonded to underlying layers, with the possible exception of steep wind-loaded slopes. Snow depths at White Pass are around 100 cm in sheltered areas and closer to 200 cm on wind-loaded slopes.
Friday night
Cloudy with snowfall, 2-5 cm accumulation. Treeline temperatures rising from -12 to -7 C. Ridgetop winds 30-50 km/h from the south.
Saturday
Snowfall continues into the morning, 2-5 cm, gradually tapering in the afternoon. Treeline temperatures around -5 C. Ridgetop winds increasing throughout the day to 30-50 km/h from the south.
SundayPartially cloudy, scattered flurries. 30-50 km/h south wind decreasing in the afternoon. Treeline temperatures around -10 C.
MondayA mix of sun and cloud, light southerly winds. Treeline temperatures around -10 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
