Incremental loading on a sugary weak layer can add up to a touchy slab at Alpine and Treeline elevations.
Tree wells and terrain traps are real concerns with all the loose snow.
~30cm of low density snow sits on a layer of faceted snow. This layer is easily triggered at the moment and dry loose avalanches, though light and fluffy, can run fast and far, gathering additional mass as it travels.
The snow is adding up and forming a storm slab over a faceted interface, which will take some time to bond. Deeper pockets of slab are found in loaded features. If triggered this layer may step down to the Dec 1 crust, resulting in a large avalanche.
Moisture from the Pacific is mixing with the cold air from the north, creating low density powder.
Tonight: Cloudy, trace snow, low -16*C, mod SW winds
Tues: Cloudy with mix of sun/cloud, Alp high -14*C, light S wind
Wed: Cloudy with flurries, Alp high -15*C, light SW winds
Thurs: Flurries, 12cm, Alp high -11*C, light S winds
A new storm slab of ~30cm low-density snow is bonding poorly to the underlying loose, faceted snow from the recent cold temps. Wind slab exists in the alpine along ridge crests and open features down into tree line. The Dec 1 crust is buried 80-130cm, with faceted snow above and below it (especially in shallow areas).
Numerous avalanches off of the steep paths of Mt. Tupper and Mt. MacDonald, up to size 3 from wind loaded, steep, confined terrain.
There is a LOT of loose snow to be transported by the wind! If wind values spike, expect a natural avalanche cycle.
