Avalanche Forecast

A few new sz 2 avalanches were observed from steeper areas and a few isolated slab avalanches within the storm snow were also observed. Tent bowl had a size two near the skiers left lines and EEoR had a sz 2 from the upper bowl that stopped in the upper track.

Forecasters were out at Burstall pass on Friday for the first visit to the profile site this season. In the profile we found 35cm of recent storm snow overlying a 5cm thick rain crust that formed at the start of the storm earlier this week. It is likely that this crust does not exist in the Alpine but more observations are needed to determine the upper limit of this layer. Deeper in the snowpack down 55cm was the Dec 1st Surface hoar layer that had crystals up to 3mm. The bottom 40cm of the snowpack consisted of moist facets to ground.

The recent snow has settled into a soft storm slab that was cracking on top of the rain crust in steeper terrain. Numerous whumpfs were also heard as the moist basal facets collapsed closer to ground. Two key layers to remain aware of will be the Dec 5th crust layer and the Dec 1st SH layer that is likely only found on sheltered polar aspects. When the wind does arrive expect windslabs to build quickly with all the available snow.

Winds will increase on Saturday afternoon out of the west with temperatures overnight expected to become a chilly -15C. No new snow is forecast over the next 24hrs but there is a chance of some precip on Sunday.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
• Any steep opening in the trees should be treated as suspect right now.