Riders could trigger wind slabs at higher elevations.
Sustained southwest wind could continue to build wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridges. Assess for slab formation prior to committing to steep slopes.
A layer of faceted grains near the base of the snowpack remains on the radar for areas of this region where the snowpack is shallow and where a hard melt-freeze crust formed around Christmas doesn't exist. Deep persistent slab avalanches have not been reported in the region for some time, however, the weak snowpack structure in these shallow areas may still be triggered with a heavy load.
A few small (size 1) wind slabs were triggered by riders, naturally, and explosives out of steep alpine terrain on Thursday.
Looking forward, riders could trigger small wind slabs in lee terrain features from the recent snow and sustained southwest wind.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Around 10 cm of recent snow is being redistributed into wind slabs in lee terrain features at higher elevations from southwest wind. This overlies previously wind affected snow and/or soft faceted snow above 1900 m and a melt-freeze crust below.
The mid-pack is consolidated in the Lizard Range with a robust melt-freeze buried 70 to 90 cm.
Outside of the Lizard Range, the snowpack is shallower and faceted. In these areas, deep weak layers formed early season are still a concern, especially in steep rocky terrain features.
Thursday Night
Clear skies with no precipitation, 30 to 50 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -4 ºC.
Friday
Clear skies with afternoon clouds and no precipitation, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -3 ºC.
SaturdayCloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -5 ºC.
SundayCloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, 20 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -5 ºC.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
