Wind slabs remain the primary concern and will lingered for longer than usual in the cold temperatures. Steer clear of alpine and treeline areas that have been affected by wind or have been loaded.
Recent strong to extreme winds have built windslabs in the alpine and treeline. Winds have been variable in direction so watch for reverse loading. The recent cold temperatures will preserve these windslabs for longer than usual. Avalanches may step down to the Deep Persistent Layer.
A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for a long time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
Avalanche control near Parkers on Friday (Jan 17) produced wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5. Some of these avalanches stepped down to the Deep Persistent layer. Natural windslab avalanches at treeline and in the alpine have also been observed over the last few days.
10-15 cm of previous storm snow has widespread wind affect from strong to extreme winds. The middle of the snowpack is facetted and there is a deep persistent layer at the base of the snowpack consisting of a decomposing melt freeze crust and depth hoar. The snowpack is 70-130 cm in depth at tree line. Valley bottom is thin and has weak, loose facets which can make for difficult travel.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperature: High -13 °C. Ridge wind west: 15 km/h.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperature: Low -16 °C, High -13 °C. Ridge wind west: 15 km/h gusting to 45 km/h.
Wednesday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -9 °C. Ridge wind west: 10-20 km/h.
