Recent settlement has generally increased the strength of our snowpack but pockets of Wind Slab exist at higher elevations. Lingering uncertainty about the ability to trigger deep persistent weak layer requires a cautious approach to terrain.
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY Cloudy with sunny periods. No precipitation. Light SE wind.WEDNESDAY Cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace amounts of snow. SW Wind 25- 35 km/h.THURSDAY Cloudy with scattered flurries. 4 cm snow. Freezing Level valley bottom. Moderate E wind.
Snowpack Summary
Surface Hoar development 1600-1800m. Sun crust on solar aspects. 10-30cm Wind slabs in lee terrain over a strong, well-settled midpack. Facets and Depth Hoar at the base of the snowpack remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed last 72 h.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.