As the extreme cold penetrates the upper snow pack, watch for the development of a Loose Dry avalanche problem in steep terrain. Ice climbers should also be very leery of any hanging daggers. A couple large collapses have recently been observed.
Wind speeds have been mainly light with only occasional moderate gusts from the North over the past few days. Watch for areas of localized wind effect in the ALP and exposed TL features.
Extreme cold warning for the region remains in effect. At least it'll be sunny.
Cold temperatures are promoting surface facetting. Previous HST (25-55cm) is bonding well to underlying surfaces (facets, surface hoar, wind affected snow depending on location). Wind slabs in the ALP and exposed TL. A well settled mid-pack, except in shallow snowpack areas, can be found throughout the forecast region. Variable HS (90-200cm).
A few isolated natural wind slabs, starting near alpine ridge crests, have been observed over the last couple days.
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