Old wind slabs are lingering at upper elevations. Analyze each slope for signs of wind loading and likely trigger points as you travel.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy, light southeast wind, alpine temperatures around -5.SUNDAY: Flurries starting later in the day, moderate southeast winds, alpine temperatures around -3.MONDAY: Flurries with 5-15 cm of new snow, light west winds, alpine temperatures around -6.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Thursday. Several small wind slab avalanches were reported earlier in the week, and lingering wind slabs may still be reactive in isolated wind-loaded pockets.
Snowpack Summary
A trace of new snow covers a variable surface with a mix of soft wind slabs, hard wind slabs, sastrugi, faceted snow, and even some surface hoar. Wind slabs are the primary weakness of concern in the current snowpack. Last week's winds reverse loaded many terrain features and formed stubborn wind slabs on a surprising range of aspects. Snowpack tests on wind slabs are producing easy to moderate results, with occasional sudden planar results. The Boxing Day interface can be found up to 100 cm deep and consists of wind packed snow, faceted (sugary) snow, or surface hoar. Recent observations suggest the overlying snow is generally well bonded to this interface. Snowpack layers below this interface are also generally well bonded.
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.