Recently formed storm slabs will be most reactive in wind affected areas a treeline and above. Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
A slab rests on a persistent weak layer which has the capacity to propagate avalanches across terrain features. Although the likelihood of triggering a persistent slab avalanche is reducing, the potential for triggering a high consequence avalanche should still be top of mind in your decision making process.
25-40 cm. of new snow since Christmas day has buried yet another weak layer of surface hoar that was widespread at treeline and below. Expect this new snow to become increasingly reactive to human triggers as it settles into a cohesive slab.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy / Light, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -14 / Freezing level valley bottom.
WEDNESDAY: Snow; 5-15 cm. / Moderate, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -9 / Freezing level valley bottom.
THURSDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm. / Light, west ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -8 / Freezing level valley bottom.
FRIDAY: Snow; 5-10 cm. / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -6 / Freezing level rising to 700 m.
25-40 cm. of new snow since Christmas day has buried yet another weak layer of surface hoar that was widespread at treeline and below. Expect this new snow to become increasingly reactive to human triggers as it settles into a cohesive slab.
There have been numerous recent reports of dry loose avalanches(sluffs) running surprisingly fast and far below treeline.
25-40 cm. of new snow since Christmas day has buried yet another weak layer of surface hoar that was widespread at treeline and below. Expect this new snow to become increasingly reactive to human triggers as it settles into a cohesive slab.
Lingering wind slabs formed last week may remain reactive on a variety of aspects due to shifting winds.
About one meter below the surface is the mid December surface hoar. This layer has recently been sensitive to human triggering.
Below that lies the early December persistent weak layer, it's about 80 to 140 cm below the surface. This weak layer is a mixed bag that often presents as surface hoar and facets sitting on top of a supportive crust. This is a nasty weak layer, when avalanches fail on it, they have been large and destructive. Smaller avalanches in motion may step-down to this layer resulting in very large and destructive avalanches.
