Watch for sluffing of loose, dry snow in steep terrain.
The persistent slab problem is most reactive where a cohesive slab sits on top of a crust.
Pockets of wind slab are faceting with the cold temperatures but there are reports of cracking & whumping within the surface wind slab. Use caution near ridgetop and exposed alpine terrain. Variable wind direction means you might find wind slab on any aspect.
20-50cms of snow overlays a buried persistent weak layer. This weak layer is consists of surface hoar, facets and/or a suncrust. It will be most reactive where there is a settled, cohesive slab on top of a crust.
We have observed size 1 dry loose natural and rider triggered avalanches in steep unsupported terrain.
Field teams and MIN reports have observed some whumping and cracking of the surface wind slab.
Monday- Size 1 skier accidental wind slab on 8812 peak occurred on a east aspect at approx 2600m.
Neighbouring operations, particularly to the west, are still reporting rider & remote triggered avalanches on the Jan 30th layer.
Isolated pockets of wind slab are lingering near ridgetop and in exposed terrain. Areas sheltered from the wind are faceted with good quality skiing.
A weak layer of surface hoar, facets and/or suncrust (Jan 30th drought layer) is 30-50cm down from the snow surface. Recently this layer is most reactive where a crust exists on solar facing terrain.
The Jan 7th layer is down 50-80cm, and is comprised of surface hoar in sheltered areas and/or a thin crust on steep S aspects.
Exiting cold, dry air will usher in warmer temperatures.
Tonight Clear periods. Alpine temperature low -18°C. Ridge wind SW-15 km/hr.
Thurs Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine high -9°C Wind SE 15 km/hr.
Friday Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine high -10 °C. Light ridge wind.
Sat Cloudy/isolated flurries Alpine high -14°C. Wind W 5m/h.
