Storm slabs remain reactive to human triggers and are likely more reactive where snow has been wind affected.
Assess the snow as you travel, and back off if you see signs of instability.
Ongoing flurries and moderate winds will continue to keep storm slabs reactive to human-triggers especially where a surface hoar layer can be found. Triggering this layer that is 60 cm down is more likely in sheltered terrain features.
On Wednesday explosives triggered storm slab avalanches to size 1.5.
A surface hoar layer can be found down 60 cm on Wednesday the South Rockies Field Team had some test results indicating this layer is possible to human trigger.
Recent accumulated snow has been redistributed by strong southwest wind. This overlies wind affected snow at upper elevations and settling snow at treeline. A spotty surface hoar layer can be found in sheltered terrain features.
A melt-freeze crust that formed Dec 24 can be found down 40 to 60 cm from the surface at elevations around 2000 m and below.
The mid and lower snowpack is characterized by multiple crusts, with moist snow persisting near the base in some areas.
Snow depths at treeline generally range from approximately 100 to 220 cm.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. F
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
