New snow is bonding poorly to the underlying surface. Small but reactive wind slabs may exist in lee areas.
New snow and wind have formed small but reactive wind slabs in lee areas. In sheltered terrain where the new snow remains loose and unconsolidated, dry loose avalanches will initiate easily in steeper terrain.
Earlier in the week, strong solar radiation resulted in several natural and human-triggered size 1-2 loose wet avalanches from steep terrain on solar aspects.
On Friday, numerous small (size 1) natural dry loose avalanches were observed and a few skier-triggered wind slabs (size 1) occurred at treeline.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
At upper elevations, up to 15 cm of new snow overlies a crust on solar aspects, faceted snow and surface hoar up to 10 mm in shaded and wind-sheltered areas, and wind-affected surfaces in exposed areas. At lower elevations, a crust exists on or near the surface.
The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity.
Friday night
Cloudy with clear periods. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -6 °C. Ridge wind 10 to 30 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Saturday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -2 °C. Ridge wind light from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1400 metres.
Sunday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -2 °C. Ridge wind east 10-25 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1300 metres.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -8 °C. Light easterly ridge wind. Freezing level at valley bottom.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
