Use caution in steep terrain for rider triggered sluffing and lingering storm slabs.
Solar triggered dry loose sluffing is possible with rising freezing levels.
Moderate winds and recent snowfall has created a storm slab at treeline and above. This problem will be the most reactive in extreme terrain.
On Tuesday, riders triggered dry loose sluffing in steep alpine on a east aspect. Natural storm slabs in extreme terrain up to size 2 were observed from Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning.
Soft, surface storm slabs were reactive to ski cuts on steep slopes in the Mt Fidelity area at treeline on Monday. These storm slabs ranged from 10-25cm thick (size 1-1.5) and were running far due to the crusty bed surface.
A lingering storm slab formed by moderate winds exists at treeline and above.
This slab has rapidly bonded to a crust which exists on solar slopes in the alp & on all aspects below 2200m. This Crust will support a skier in most locations and may act as a firm bed surface.
Challenging travel and variable conditions at lower elevations.
A ridge of high pressure maintains clear skies with rising freezing levels later in the week.
Tonight Clear with cloudy periods. Alp Low: -5 deg C. Wind W 10-20 km/h. Freezing Level (FZL) 1200m.
Wed A mix of sun and cloud. Alp high 0 deg C. Wind Light. FZL 2100m.
Thurs Sunny with cloudy periods. Alp high +4. Wind SE 15 km/h. FZL 2500m.
Fri Sunny with cloudy periods. Alp high +8. Wind SE 10-20 km/h. FZL 2900m.
