Avalanche Forecast

High - The number, quality, or consistency of field observations is good, and supports our confidence.

Temperatures will continue to drop over the next few days with lows around -26C on Christmas day and around -30C on boxing day! Winds will continue to be light and variable with snowfalls of around 10-12cm over the next 48hrs.  

No new avalanches were observed on Friday but visibility was limited. Field teams in the Commonwealth area didn't see anything during there tour.  

Light snow continued on Friday with accumulations of around 5cm. Up to 30cm of recent storm snow has fallen with variable winds. Windslabs and storm slabs can be found in the upper snowpack at treeline and above. These slabs are beginning to settle and were not reactive to ski cuts on Friday at 2400m but suspect they are still reactive in Alpine areas where the winds have been stronger of late. Aside from the new surface instabilities, we are also seeing a distinct change in the Dec 1 crust character. It is breaking down, and in doing so, its forming a layer of facets immediately above the crust. This facet layer is down 70-85cm, widespread up to 2300m and so far failing in the hard range with tests. In other words, it's down there brewing and we can expect the scales to quickly tip as the new snow load increases. 

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.