Carefully assess steep slopes for fresh wind slabs before committing.
Deep instabilities are still present and have produced very large avalanches.
Small wind slabs may form on wind loaded north through east facing ridge crests and steep roll-overs. These slabs may be more reactive if they are poorly bonded to an underlying rain crust. Avoid leeward areas with denser wind-bown snow.
Deep weak layers are most likely to be triggered at higher elevations, on wind loaded slopes.
On Monday, large, naturally triggered deep persistent slab avalanches were observed on north-facing slopes, suspected to have occurred sometime on Sunday. These failed on a deep persistent weak layer down 1-2 m, and some stepped down to the ground.
Check out this MIN from our field team.
Otherwise, no new avalanches have been reported, but observations are extremely limited in the region.
Between 3 to 10 cm of new snow is forecast to fall Thursday night. This new snow may form small wind slabs in leeward north and east facing terrain.
Up to 10 mm of rain on Wednesday night formed a thin crust that reached at least treeline areas across much of the region. New wind slabs may not bond well to this crust.
A deep persistent weak layer consisting of a prominent crust, with 10 cm of facets on top, is buried 120 to 180 cm deep in terrain above 1800 m. Triggering this layer could have very severe consequences.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Friday
Cloudy. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 25 cm of snow. 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Sunday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
