Storm slabs are likely to remain reactive to human triggers. Stick to low consequence terrain and avoid wind-loaded terrain features.
Storm slabs will likely remain reactive to human triggers. Sensitivity could be greater in areas where storm and wind slab has formed over a crust, facets, or surface hoar.
Friday night: Tapering flurries 5-10 cm. Strong NW wind. Freezing level 1000 m. Alpine temperature around -1 C.
Saturday: Scattered flurries up to 5 cm. Moderate to strong W wind. Freezing level 800 m. Alpine temperature around -4 C.
Sunday: Snowfall 10-20 cm. Strong SW wind. Freezing level 1000 m. Alpine temperature -2 C.
Sunday: Snowfall 20-40 cm. Moderate to strong SW wind. Freezing level 1000 m. Alpine temperature -2 C.
On Thursday and Friday, explosive work produced storm slab avalanches up to size 3.5. Smaller natural storm slabs and loose dry avalanches were observed.
50-100 cm of recent snow sits above a variety of surfaces that formed during the end of January. These include a crust, facets, surface hoar and combinations of these crystals. The crust can be found at or below treeline as well as on south-facing terrain in the alpine. Facets have likely formed in shady areas that did not form a crust. Surface hoar may be found in isolated sheltered terrain at treeline. Below around 1200m, the upper snowpack is wet to moist over these surfaces.
The January 19th surface hoar layer can still be found down 40 to 60 at treeline and above in sheltered terrain. Recent reports indicate that it is becoming less of a concern.
