Persistent Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Very Likely
- Size
- 3
The Persistent Weak Layer from the November dry spell continues to be our biggest threat. (WEAK LAYER DETAILED TIMELINE HERE) As we bury it deeper, the avalanches get deeper. It is clearly still active as I continue to experience collapsing or "whumpfing" of the snowpack. This is when the snow makes a noticeable "whumpf" noise under you. Next to recent avalanches, this is the biggest clue of unstable snow.
I am quite concerned that someone is going to get caught this weekend. This buried weak layer is still going to be active and capable of producing avalanches for a while to come. With all the new snow, people are excited to get out into it. The weather looks beautiful for the weekend and I'm guessing lots of people will get into the mountains. This smells like trouble to me.