Human triggering is still possible with the generally weak snowpack. Take the time to dig and evaluate the snowpack before committing to steeper lines.
This sits upon weak faceted crystals, sun crust or a dense layer that are perfect for slab avalanches. North aspects may be more susceptible to triggering as these areas did not experience a strong melt-freeze cycle like the solar sides did.
No new avalanches have been observed or reported today.
We have about 8cm of snow that has fallen in the past 3 days at treeline elevation. The main concern right now is the persistent slab 15-30cm thick that is resting on the Jan 30 interface made of facets, sun crust or another dense layer. The mid and lower snowpack is primarily facets. Natural avalanche activity has tapered, but human triggering remains possible, due to the dense slab overlying a lot of weak facets. Forecasters have little confidence in the snowpack. Travelling at lower elevations involves ski penetration to ground if you leave any established trail.
Thursday will be mostly sunny, a high temperature of -2c in the Alpine and light NW winds. The freezing level is expected to rise to 2000m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
