Expect to find wind slabs in lee terrain features.
Riders could trigger wind slabs in lee terrain features from recent snow and strong southwest wind. Assess for slab properties in steep and consequential terrain before committing.
It remains possible that riders could trigger various buried layers. The most likely terrain feature to trigger them is within upper treeline and alpine elevations in shallow, rocky start zones.
Poor visibility led to only a few avalanche observations over the weekend, including evidence of a natural cycle of large (size 2 to 3) wind slabs in lee terrain features in the alpine. We anticipate receiving more avalanche observations as the clouds clear.
Looking ahead, riders could still trigger wind slabs in lee terrain features as they slowly bond to the snowpack. There is also a possibility of triggering deeper layers described in the Snowpack Summary.
Variable snowfall amounts accumulated across the region over the weekend but most areas received around 20 cm with strong southwest wind. The wind scoured wind-exposed terrain and formed wind slabs in lee terrain features.
A melt-freeze crust is found about 80 cm deep, with reported good bonding to it. An old surface hoar layer from early January may be found about 100 to 150 cm. Neither of these layers have produced recent avalanches.
Monday Night
Clear skies with no precipitation, 20 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperature -13 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, 20 km/h west wind, treeline temperature -11 °C.
WednesdayCloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 40 to 60 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -9 °C.
ThursdayCloudy with snowfall then clearing, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 20 km/h west wind, treeline temperature -9 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
