A recent avalanche in the Tumbler area gives a precise idea of the type of terrain and snowpack to treat with extra caution under the current conditions.
Deeper deposits of wind-redistributed snow in otherwise shallow, rocky areas should be treated with serious caution. Avalanches in areas fitting this profile have been triggered as recently as Sunday.
A size 2 slab avalanche was reported from the Tom's Lake area on Sunday. Check out the MIN report here. The avalanche appears to have been a wind slab that failed on weak, faceted snow in the mid or lower snowpack. It occurred on a southwest aspect and is a good reminder that even old wind loaded pockets in otherwise thin, rocky snowpack areas should be treated with caution.
Keep posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network!
Extreme northwest to southwest wind will likely have stripped all loose snow from exposed areas and deposited it far down slope.
The snowpack in this region is expected to be shallow with the middle and base made up of weak, sugary facet crystals. There is likely a crust at the base of the snowpack.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with isolated flurries. 40 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, easing. Freezing level 1500 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with isolated flurries. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level exceeding 0 °C as freezing levels peak at 2000 m in late afternoon.
Thursday
Cloudy with scattered flurries and a trace of new snow. 30 - 70 km/h west ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline temperature falling from 0 °C to -5 °C over the day as freezing level returns to valley bottom.
Friday
Mainly cloudy with lingering flurries and up to 5 cm, including overnight amounts. 10 - 20 km/h north ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature falling to -15 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
