Evaluate your line for wind slabs and cornice exposure before committing to consequential terrain.
Wind slabs likely remain triggerable at elevations where the snow has remained dry. Watch for drifted or wind loaded snow in leeward terrain features with sharp changes in slope angle like ridge crests, ribs and convexities.
Cornices have undergone rapid growth. Recently reported cornice failures have triggered wind slabs on slopes below.
Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy. Moderate to strong southeast wind. Alpine low around -7 °C. Freezing level dropping to 800 m.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light southeast wind. Alpine high around -5 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Friday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Light to moderate south wind. Alpine high around -6 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Saturday: Clouds clearing. Light wind. Alpine high around -5 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Several natural wind slab avalanches have been observed this week size 1.5-3, some of them triggered by cornice failures. During the rain event on Tuesday, loose wet avalanches were reported up to size 1.5 at 1800 m and lower.
Wet snow or crusty conditions can be found at least as high as 1700 m. Wind slabs may be found at high elevations that have remained dry.
A couple of layers of weak crystals in the upper snowpack appear to be bonding according to recent snowpack tests. Additionally, we suspect that the surface crust will help bridge these layers, further decreasing their likelihood of triggering.
A thick crust 50-80 cm deep which formed in mid-February effectively bridges any underlying instabilities in the lower snowpack.
