Watch for unstable wind slabs in alpine terrain. Recent northerly wind has left slabs in atypical areas.
Northerly outflow winds have redistributed snow into stiff wind slabs in lee south aspect terrain. Wind slabs may be reactive to human triggering where they overlie a slick crust. Seek out sheltered terrain where you can avoid wind slabs and find good riding.
No new avalanches were reported over the weekend, although whumpfing on stiff wind slabs was reported at upper treeline and alpine elevations.
Northerly outflow winds have affected open areas in the alpine and treeline, scouring windward slopes and redistributing this storm snow into pockets of stiff wind slabs in lee areas. A crust exists on the surface at lower elevations and on steep solar aspects to 1800 m. Softer snow still exists in sheltered areas at treeline and below.
Generally, the middle and lower snowpack is strong and bonded. Isolated weak layers may exist within the middle and lower snowpack, but the thick crusts sitting above them make triggering avalanches on these layers unlikely.
Snowpack depths are 150 to 200 cm at treeline and taper rapidly below 1500 m.
Tuesday night
Overnight flurries with up to 5 cm of snow, 30 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -6 ˚C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy, isolated flurries with trace amounts of snow, 30 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures warm to -3 ˚C.
ThursdayMix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, 30 to 50 km/h southwest wind, freezing level climbs to 1200 m with treeline temperatures warming to -3 ˚C.
FridayCloudy with scattered flurries bringing 1 to 5 cm of new snow, 40 to 60 km/h south wind, freezing level around 1500 m with treeline temperatures around -2 ˚C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
