Strong winds and steady amounts of new snow are refreshing the storm slab problem.
Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution and stick to sheltered spots to find the best snow!
Ongoing snowfall and strong gusty winds will continue to build storm slabs. Expect to find them most reactive in alpine wind affected areas around ridge top or in cross loaded terrain features.
We continue to see sporadic natural avalanche activity out of steep alpine terrain, typically during times of strong wind gusts. On Sunday morning a natural size 3, out of the Crossover/Herdman area, ran far making it into the mounds in the runout.
Some reports are coming in about sluffing in steep terrain at treeline and below.
Check out this great MIN about a close call in the Asulkan drainage where riders triggered a size 2 avalanche.
Last week's 60-90 cm of storm snow has been redistributed by strong to extreme southerly winds. Beneath this recent storm snow, a thin crust exists up to 2300m. This crust has been solid bed-surface for avalanches to run on.
Approximately 140cms of settled snow sits on the November rain crust. A spotty layer of surface hoar is just above the Nov Crust and exists at treeline in sheltered areas.
A series of frontal systems will bring moderate snowfall and strong winds.
Tonight Flurries, 10 cm. Low -10°C. Winds SW 40 gusting to 70km/hr. Freezing level (FZL): 700m
Tues Mix of sun & cloud. Alpine temp: High -10°C. Wind SW 25-40km/hr. FZL 700m
Wed Periods of snow, 12cm. Alpine temp: High -2°C. Wind: South 35-55km/hr. FZL 1800m
Thurs Flurries. Snow: 6cms. Alpine temp: High -6°C. Wind SW 30-75km/hr. FZL 1300m
