Warm temperatures are expected to continue on Thursday. Forecasters are uncertain to what degree this will impact both the wind slab and persistent slab problems. Cooling on Friday will improve conditions (but maybe not the skiing).
Continued strong westerly wind is redistributing snow in the alpine today. As you approach treeline, expect to encounter slab development. Take the time to investigate what the recent snow is sitting on and how it is bonding.
This layer exist as surface hoar in sheltered areas and sun crust on steep southerly aspects 20 to 30cm down. We have observed few avalanche on this interface so far. Warm temps could settle this slab further making it more reactive on Thursday.
Warm temperatures will persist into Thursday, and will then return to seasonal temperature range on Friday. There also is a possibility that small amounts of snow could arrive Wednesday overnight (~10cm). Wind will remain elevated from the West in the strong range.
Warm temps have settled recent storm snow in the alpine. Expect wind slabs in lee areas from previous wind event. At tree line and below the recent storm snow is beginning to develop into a slab, which overlays the Jan 30 surface hoar and sun crust. This interface is found 20 to 30cm down. Shallow snowpack areas remain weak and faceted.
Very little in the way of substantial avalanche reports from either ski area today. Other than observations of pin-wheeling from steep south aspects in the alpine, no avalanches were observed or reported.
