Remain cautious around steep wind-loaded features at treeline and above, especially if you see blowing snow.
Fresh wind slabs have formed in lee areas with recent snow and moderate southwesterly winds. They may be more reactive than expected where they overlie a layer of surface hoar over a crust.
No recent avalanches have been reported in the region.
With the recent wind and snow at upper elevations, we expect human-triggering slab avalanches in specific areas remains possible.
Observations are still limited, so be sure to post yours to the MIN if you get out!
Recent snow and southwesterly winds have formed wind slabs on lee slopes at upper elevations. Rain has fallen up to around 1200 m.
In the alpine, wind slabs overlie a hard crust which extends as high as 2300 m. Large surface hoar can be found on this crust at treeline and below. Recent rain may have neutralized the surface hoar problem at lower elevations.
A layer of facets or surface hoar is buried around 50 to 100 cm deep, for the most part locked under the supportive crust.
The mid and lower snowpack have no layers of concern. Snowpack depths are around 150-200 cm at treeline.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m dropping to 1100 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.
Monday
Cloudy. 0 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
