North Rockies

Fresh snow and shifting wind directions may form reactive wind slabs on many aspects. Pay close attention to the patterns of wind loading where you are riding and back off if you encounter whumpfing, cracking or hollow sounds.

Friday night - Flurries, 5-15 cm / strong southwest wind, switching to moderate northwest / alpine low temperature near -11 

Saturday - Mainly cloudy with a few flurries / light to moderate northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -10 

Sunday - A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / light to moderate northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -9 / freezing level 1000 m 

Monday - Mainly sunny / light northeast wind / alpine high temperature near -7 / freezing level 1500 m

There was a rider triggered size 1 storm slab avalanche reported on an east aspect at treeline on Wednesday, check out the MIN report here. There were no new avalanches reported on Thursday.

Looking forward, fresh snow and wind may create reactive slabs on multiple aspects due to a shift in wind direction. Human triggered avalanches will be the most likely in areas that have seen the highest recent snowfall amounts.

Anywhere from 10-30 cm of new snow is expected by Saturday morning. Strong southwest winds overnight, switching to moderate northwest on Saturday could form wind slabs on many aspects.

The new snow likely sits on a crust everywhere except north aspects above 1700 m, where it sits on previously dry snow.

Recent weather patterns have helped deeper weak layers gain strength, including the mid-February facet layer that is now roughly 150 cm deep. However, it may still be possible to trigger avalanches on basal layers in shallow rocky terrain along the eastern slopes of the Rockies.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.