A persistent weak layer remains ripe for skier/boarder triggering at upper elevations. Disciplined terrain use is the best way to manage this complex problem.
A near surface crust (easily felt by pole probing) has stabilized the snowpack at lower elevations. Pay careful attention to when this crust disappears (around ~2100m). If there's no crust, there will be a higher likelihood of triggering a persistent weak layer buried by a dense 50+cm slab.
A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred Tuesday/Wednesday with heavy snowfall, turning to rain at lower elevations. Avalanches were propagating widely and running well into runouts.
Conditions at upper elevations remain prime for human triggered avalanches. There was a report of a remotely triggered size 2 avalanche at Balu pass on Friday. And some of our near neighbours are reporting being able to remotely trigger size 2 avalanches from up to 80m away!
10-15cms of new snow sits on top of a rain crust that exists up to about 2200m.
Approximately 50cms of new snow fell early in the week, with very warm temperatures. This heavy snow sits on top of a weak layer of large surface hoar crystals.
Height of snow at treeline is about 130 cms which is below average for this time of year. Many early-season hazards still exist at or just below the snow surface.
The base of the snowpack is made up of weak sugary facets at upper elevations.
A weakening system makes it's way inland Saturday afternoon, bringing light snowfall and strong ridgetop wind to our area late in the day.
Tonight: Clear periods. Light Southwest ridgetop winds. Alpine low of -13°C.
Sat: Flurries (2-4 cm by nightfall, 5 cm o/n). Moderate SW wind. Alpine High -10 °C.
Sunday: Cloudy with flurries (5 cm). Mod SW wind. Low -9 °C, High -6 °C
Monday: Isolated flurries. Low -10 °C, High -7 °C
