Small loose avalanches can have big consequences near terrain traps.
Be prepared to manage your slough in the steeps and watch for solar triggered slides above you.
Another sneaky 5-10cms of new snow with 30-40 km/hr Southerly winds created windslabs on Wednesday/ Thursday. These slabs may be losing their energy, but will still need a little more time to fully lose their reactivity.
With warm temperatures forecast at treeline and above tomorrow, loose avalanches could end up entraining more mass than before. Slough management will be key in consequential terrain.
A few small natural loose avalanches were observed from steep, south facing paths in the highway corridor today.
Field teams have observed skier triggered size 1's the past few days, which were isolated to the top 10-15cm of snow on old firm bed surfaces. Despite their small size, they were moving fast in steep terrain.
A thin surface crust has formed on steep solar aspects.
Variable wind slabs that formed on the 23rd are decomposing with the cold, clear nights. Sheltered areas have ~15cm of low density, faceted (sugary) snow atop a denser, wind-pressed layer. The Jan 7th layer is down 30-60cm, comprised of surface hoar (all aspects) and/or a thin crust on steep S aspects. The mid and lower snowpack are well bonded and strong.
A strong ridge of high pressure is firmly planted. This means mainly clear skies and no precipitation for the foreseeable future.
Tonight Clear periods. Ridge wind W 10 km/h. Alp low -6C°. Freezing level (FZL) at valley bottom. Strong alpine temp inversion.
Mon Sun & cloud. Alp high 1 C°. Ridge wind: NW 15 km/hr. FZL 1000m. Strong alpine temp inversion
Tues Mainly sunny. Alpine high 1°C. Wind west 15-25km/h. FZL 1800m
Tuesday