Continued flurries and increasing winds will keep the avalanche danger rating elevated. A conservative mindset is key to enjoying the current snowpack.
This wind slab problem covers two wind slab problems. 50-80cm of storm snow is being re-distributed into a surface wind slab. If this is triggered, there is a strong likelihood to trigger a recently buried wind slab that is up to 70-100cm deep.
Avalanches initiated in the surface wind slab will likely trigger this deeper instability. Large and destructive avalanches are possible.
No new avalanches were observed or reported today, but visibility was limited.
Another 15cm of snow from Saturday afternoon brings the storm snow totals to 60cm-115cm zone dependant. Wind slabs are widespread in the alpine and on lee and cross-loaded features at treeline. These wind slabs are likely to be reactive to skier traffic. The December 16th crust is down about 75cm. The November crust is now down 100-150cm, and is showing signs of faceting. Any avalanche triggered in the upper snowpack has a strong likelihood to step down to deeper instabilities.
Sunday night: Flurries up to 5cm, Low of -9 35km/h Southwest winds
Monday: Mostly cloudy with the chance for some blue. Day time high around -9. Winds will be 40-55km/h out of the Southwest at ridge top.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
