Strong winds and steady amounts of new snow are refreshing the storm slab problem.
Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution and stick to sheltered spots to find the best snow!
Strong gusty winds will continue to redistribute the large volumes of recent storm snow, and build reactive slabs. Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
It was been another active week of natural and artillery controlled avalanches.
Skiers in the Asulkan drainage had a close call while travelling on ridgeline and triggered a size 2 avalanche.
A widespread cycle of natural avalanches occurred on Tuesday night into Wednesday. These avalanches were up to sz 3.0 and running on a crust bed surface.
This week's 60-90 cm of settling storm snow has been redistributed by strong to extreme southerly winds. Beneath this recent storm snow a thin crust exists up to 2300m. This crust is a solid bed surface for avalanches to run on.
This December alone, 355 cm of snow has fallen at treeline. This has settled to ~140cm of snow overlying the November rain crust. A spotty layer of surface hoar is just above the Nov Crust and exists at treeline in sheltered areas.
Arctic air pushing southward is interacting with the Pacific moisture stream. Expect snow and gusty winds over the next several days.
Tonight Flurries, 8cm. Low -10°C. Winds SW 30-60km/hr. FZL (freezing level) at valley bottom
Sun Flurries, 11cm. High -7°C. Wind South 30-50km/hr. FZL 1100m
Mon Flurries, 8cm. High -8°C. Wind SW 30-45km/hr. FZL 900m
Tues Flurries, 4cm. High -9°C. Wind SW 30-60km/h. FZL 800m
