Good news for those of you getting skis as a Christmas gift. A fair bit of new snow will refresh the skiing once it has a chance to settle. While we wait for the snow to settle, stick to conservative ski terrain and avoid the big slopes.
Windslabs are being found in alpine terrain and in specific features at treeline such as gullies. As wind and new snow continue we expect this problem to become more reactive.
I'm bending the storm slab definition a bit here, but expect storm slabs in treeline areas where the wind have been diffused by open trees. Light winds and settlement are creating pockets of reactive slabs.
Tomorrow will see the cold air arrive with temperatures dropping to -18 by mid afternoon. The snow will continue to fall at the front pushed through, but most of the accumulation will be tonight. Winds will be tricky. They are forecast to be variable in speed and direction as the air masses duke it out. In general expect moderate to strong winds at ridge top and from the south.
nothing new today, but visibility was not good. We expect a loose dry cycle is ongoing, with a natural slab cycle knocking on the door.
Whoever asked Santa for more snow on the Spray should know that he was listening, and pulled through. Today saw 20-30cm by mid afternoon, and likely much more as the storm plays through. So far there is some wind effect starting at 2200m and getting more pronounced the higher you go. Aside from the new reactive surface windslabs, we are also seeing a distinct change in the Dec 1 crust character. It is breaking down, and in doing so, its forming a layer of facets immediately above the crust. This facet layer is down 60-80cm, widespread up to 2300m and so far failing in the hard range with tests. In other words, it's down there brewing and we can expect the scales to quickly tip as the new snow load increases.
