Continue to assess the wind effect before committing to a feature. Wind slab could still be rider triggerable near ridge crests and steep roll overs in treeline and above.
Rider triggerable wind slab could still be found at treeline and above. Sensitivity could be greater in areas where wind slab has formed over a crust, facets or surface hoar.
Monday night: light to moderate northwest winds in the alpine with the possibility of some light flurries. Low of -7 at 900m.
Tuesday: some light flurries with a high of -5 at 900m. Light winds from the north.
Wednesday: light snow throughout the day, 10 to 20cm by the evening. with moderate to strong southwest winds. High of -5 at 900m.
Thursday: 10 to 30cm of precipitation with moderate to strong southwest winds. Freezing level rising to 1000m.
Several storm and wind slab avalanches have been reported in the region up to size 2. Triggers included cornice falls, skier triggering and explosives. These avalanches were generally at or above treeline.
Up too 20cm overlies a variety of surfaces that formed during the clear period towards the end of January. This interrface is made up of a crust, facets and surface hoar. The crust can be found at or below treeline as well as on south facing terrain in the alpine. In isolated sheltered terrain at treeline surface hoar has formed along with facets above this crust. Where a crust did not form facets will likely be found.
The January 19th surface hoar layer can still be found down 30 to 50 at treeline and above in sheltered terrain. Recent reports indicate that it is becoming less of a concern.
