We are starting to see the thin snowpack weaken from the prolonged facetting conditions we have been experiencing.
Weather Forecast
Temperatures are slowly moderating and should be quite pleasant by the end of the week. Winds remain light and no precipitation is expected
Snowpack Summary
Facetting has weakened the snowpack in shallow areas. The snowpack remains strong where the depth is greater than 1 m. A variable soft slab on open slopes tree line that and up is degrading ski quality. Thicker hard slab immediately below ridge lines in the alpine on NW aspects has been buried by recent snowfalls.
Avalanche Summary
A few small slab avalanches to size 1.5 have been observed on steep shallow slopes around tree line on NE aspects. Small loose snow avalanches have been observed today on steep shallow south facing slopes below tree line.
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations
Problems
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.
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.