New snow and strong winds are building wind slabs over a weak layer of surface hoar.
Watch for signs of instability, such as shooting cracks, and avoid steep terrain if they are observed.
Recent storm snow accumulated in the Pine Pass and McGregors areas, coupled with moderate wind likely formed small slabs at upper elevations. Slabs may be building over a surface hoar layer, making them more reactive.
No new avalanches have been reported in the past week.
We expect that the recent 10 to 15 cm of accumulated storm snow in the Pine Pass and McGregors areas are building wind slabs in lee terrain features over a surface hoar layer. Avalanches are expected to be small but reactive.
Recent new snow is being redistributed by strong southwest winds, building wind slabs over a layer of surface hoar.
This surface hoar layer sits on a crust found on all slopes except shaded north-facing slopes, where there is a mix of soft snow from surface faceting and wind-affected snow in open terrain features. Cornices are large and overhanging.
The lower snowpack is well settled, with the mid-December facet/crust layer buried approximately 100 cm deep.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 30 cm snow at treeline. (highest amount in the NW of the region). 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
