Continue to avoid high consequence terrain and features where triggering deeper layers is more likely. Avalanche activity has tapered off but there is still a possibility of triggering large destructive avalanches.
Ongoing southerly winds have redistributed recent snow into wind slabs on west, north and east aspects.
Keep in mind that if triggered, wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in very large avalanches.
A crust with weak, faceted snow above and below exists near the base of the snowpack. Human-triggering this layer is unlikely, but large loads such as cornice fall or a smaller avalanche stepping down to this layer are possible. Avoid thin, rocky, wind-affected areas where triggering this layer is most likely.
No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday.
On Monday a few natural wind slab avalanches were observed. These avalanches were small, size 1, and occurred on north and east aspects.
Southerly winds have scoured south facing slopes in the alpine and formed wind slab on specific northerly features. In Sheltered terrain a new layer of surface hoar is on or near the surface. A thick crust formed in late December is down 20 to 50cm. at lower elevations this crust is up to 15cm thick, in the alpine it is thin and breakable.
The mid-snowpack consists of moist snow below the crust at lower elevations. At higher elevations, the snowpack is more complex and multiple crusts can be found.
Near the base of the snowpack, a weak facet/crust layer from mid November can be found and is still a concern. In general the snowpack is weak, faceted and shallow.
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Moderate to strong southeast winds and a low of -9 at 1800m.
Thursday
Stormy with a few centimeters of new snow expected during the day, and another few in the evening. Moderate to strong southeast winds and freezing levels rising to 1300m.
Friday
Stormy with 5 to 15cm of new snow expected. Strong southerly winds. Freezing level around 1500m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 5 to 15cm of new snow expected. Moderate southerly winds and freezing levels around 1500m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
