Forecasters were able to remotely trigger a sz 2 avalanche at 2300m on a NE aspect. This is a strong indication that skier triggerred avalanches are still likely at this time,
Confidence
High - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
Winds will continue out of the east on Saturday with a few more cm of snow expected to fall . Temperatures will be seasonal with day time highs around -12C. We will be in this pattern for a few days now.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous loose dry avalanches up to sz 2 were observed out of steeper terrain on Friday. No new natural slab avalanches were observed but forecasters were able to remotely trigger a sz 2 avalanche at 2400m on a NE aspect. The slide was 50m wide, up to 100cm deep and ran over 200m. It was a slope below a rock wall that was 38deg. This indicates that the windlslab problem is still triggerable by skiers.
Snowpack Summary
6-8cm of new snow over the past 24hrs is adding up to 30-40cm of recent snow over the past 7 days. Earlier in the week widespread windslabs were observed in alpine areas and isolated areas at treeline. These previous windslabs are now buried by the most recent snow making them slightly more difficult to locate. Forecasters throughout the week have been able to trigger sz 2 avalanches in low alpine terrain failing down 30-100cm. What we are noticing is how fast these slabs become reactive as soon as one transitions into wind affected terrain (often just a few steps). Be especially careful as you move into any open feature in alpine and treeline areas, especially on N and E aspects.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.