Deep Persistent Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Unlikely
- Größe
- 2
Lingering, isolated instability exists below treeline and near treeline on NW-N-NE-E aspects. The sugary Jan 4 crust/facet persistent weak layer in these areas is gaining strength but not at the same rate in all locations. Spatial variability of stable vs unstable is increasing. In most below treeline locations, this weak layer is buried 1 to 2 feet below the snow surface. In some near treeline areas, this weak layer is buried up to 8 feet below the surface under wind drifted snow. Human triggered avalanches size D2 to D3 have become unlikely on a regional scale, but an isolated avalanche is still a concern.
A low likelihood high consequence avalanche problem is what remains at this time. We are close to but not quite past this avalanche problem on a regional scale due to the continued signs of isolated instability. Make conservative terrain and route selections in any areas where unstable snowpit test results or other signs of instability exist.