Snowfall amounts vary across the region but the wind has been consistent. Fresh and reactive wind slabs may exist on northeast and east facing slopes and be easily triggered by the weight of a skier or rider.
Cranking southwest wind and new snow have formed fresh new wind slabs. Reactive storm slabs may be found in wind-sheltered terrain.
Large looming cornices exist. Be diligent and give them a wide berth from above and below.
Tuesday Night: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Ridgetop wind light from the South. Freezing levels in the valley bottom.
Wednesday: Snow 5-10 cm. Ridgetop wind strong from the southwest. Alpine temperatures -4 and freezing levels 900 m.
Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind light from the southeast. Alpine temperatures near -3 and freezing levels 1200 m.
Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind from the South. Alpine temperatures near -5 and freezing levels valley bottom.
No new avalanche reports for Tuesday.
On Sunday, a few natural wind slab avalanches were reported up to size 2 at treeline and in the alpine on northeast and northwest aspects. Wind slabs were also easily triggered on leeward slopes by the weight of a skier. Numerous loose wet avalanches were observed from steep terrain features.
On Saturday, we received some fantastic MIN reports showing significant wind effect and wind loading at upper elevations. Natural avalanches were reported as well as a skier-triggered slab size 1.5.
Thank you for the MIN reports!!
Reactive wind and storm slabs are the primary concerns for the forecast period. Loose-dry sluffing will likely be seen from steep terrain features.
Over the past few days, up to 30 cm of new snow fell by Tuesday. Fresh winds slabs may be reactive on leeward slopes, while touchy storm slabs may be found in isolated wind-sheltered locations. This brings 50 to 80 cm of snow on a variety of old snow surfaces consisting of hard wind-affected snow in exposed terrain and weak, faceted snow or surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain. It may take some time for the snow to bond to these old surfaces. A lot of uncertainty surrounds this possible interface and if, or where these potential persistent weak layers exist.
Basal faceted snow remains part of the snowpack structure in much of the region.
