Persistent Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Unlikely
- Größe
- 2–3
The persistent slab avalanche problem that has been with us for most of our season is becoming unlikely. These weak layers can still be found where a shallow and weak snowpack structure exists-mainly in the eastern part of the forecast region. All of these layers have now been tested multiple times with recent storm loading and have not been reactive with avalanche activity. The Jan 2 PWL (buried surface hoar, facets, and/or near crust facets) has become unreactive with no known avalanches occurring since Jan 18. The Dec 19 rain crust and the basal facet/depth hoar layers were involved in a couple avalanches on Dec 20 and then again with multiple avalanches that stepped down to these weak layers in the Jan 13-14 storm cycle. Unfortunately, these weak layers will continue to exist in areas with a weak and shallow snowpack for some time until our snowpack gets deeper and gains additional strength. There is also the potential that these weak layers could reactivate if a large loading event where to happen in the future.
An isolated large avalanche could still occur in areas where the snowpack remains weak and shallow. On a regional scale, this represents a small portion of the forecast area. Wide safety margins and best practice travel protocols remain good strategies for backcountry travel.