Widespread wind slabs exist across all elevations.
Hard wind slabs may exist at higher elevations. Identifying slopes that could avalanche may be more challenging than usual.
Strong northeast winds have scoured recent snow from northeast-facing slopes and deposited widespread wind slabs on leeward and cross-loaded terrain. Beneath these wind slabs lies a crust, with weak, faceted snow.
No recent avalanche activity has been reported; however, observations have been very limited. A natural avalanche cycle likely occurred earlier this week, primarily driven by loading from strong northeast winds.
Going forward, natural avalanche activity should decrease as winds ease and less loose snow is available for transport. Human-triggered avalanches, however, will remain possible on recently wind-loaded slopes.
Snow surfaces have been heavily affected by recent northeast winds in exposed terrain at all elevations. Windward terrain has been scoured down to an older crust or sastrugi, while widespread wind slab formation has occurred on leeward and cross-loaded slopes.
A mid-January crust is approximately 30 to 60 cm below the surface. The snowpack below this layer is well-settled and generally well-bonded.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
