As the storm begins, new snow and wind will continue to build wind slabs.
Pay close attention to how the snow is bonding with the surface below.
Winds have varied in direction recently creating wind slabs on many aspects. As the new snow arrives with moderate south winds, it will continue to build wind slabs.
On Thursday, a few skier triggered and remote triggered size 1 to 1.5 wind slab avalanches were reported in the region.
On Tuesday, several size 1 to 1.5 wind slab avalanches were reported in the region. These avalanches were triggered naturally, by explosives, and by skiers.
10 to 25 cm of recent snow that arrived with moderate to strong southerly wind has since been redistributed by northerly outflow winds. The surface is faceting in the cold temperatures and may be sun affected on south facing slopes.
The early February crust/facet layer is down 30 to 60 cm.
Another widespread crust and facet layer from late January is buried 40 to 100 cm deep.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy. 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8°C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 cm of snow. 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 20 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
