As winds increase watch for fresh wind slab development at upper elevations.
Look for sheltered areas where snow is preserved and good quality riding can still be found.
As west winds increase fresh wind slabs will develope on lee slopes. Wind slabs are most sensitive to triggering when they are newly formed. Look for signs of wind transport as you move through the terrain.
As of 4 pm on Tuesday, no new avalanches have been reported in the region.
On Monday, avalanche control produced several explosive-triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 2. Notably, avalanches did not step down to the December persistent weak layer.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a MIN report!
Moderate westerly winds will redistribute available snow into fresh wind slabs at upper elevations. In sheltered areas, snow surfaces are faceting, creating good quality riding. On steep solar aspects, a thin melt-freeze crust covers the snow surface. Check this MIN from Norn for more details.
Down 50 to 120 cm weak layers of surface hoar or a facet/crust combo persist in the mid-snowpack. This layer is slowly gaining strength.
The lower snowpack is generally strong and well-bonded.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 3 cm. 15 to 30 km/h westerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 3 cm. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -6 °C.
Thursday
Mainly clear skies. 10 to 25 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -5 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with light flurries, 5 to 10 cm. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
