North Columbia

Reactive windslabs can be found in the alpine and treeline elevations.

Avoid riding above terrain traps and watch for shooting cracks and drum-like sounds under your feet.

Reactive winslabs were reported Friday afternoon. Several loose dry avalanches have been reported in steep terrain. Fresh windslabs are building as wind speed increases.

15 to 30 cm of recent snow overlies a layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on south-facing slopes. Windslabs can be found in exposed terrain in alpine and treeline elevations.

Another layer of surface hoar, crust and/or facets exists 90 to 160 cm deep. Reports indicate this layer is hard to find and likely not a concern north of Highway 5. South of Highway 5 it may linger on north through east aspects between 1700 to 2300 m.

Snow depth at treeline ranges from 120 to 250 cm.

Friday night

Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
• Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
• Be careful with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.