If the wind picks-up, new reactive wind slabs may form
Confidence
Moderate - Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Tuesday
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: Sunny with cloudy periods / Light to moderate northwest wind / Alpine temperature of -14 Wednesday: Sunny with cloudy periods / Light west wind / Alpine temperature of -12Thursday: Generally clear skies / Light to moderate northerly wind / Alpine temperature -11
Avalanche Summary
There have been no new reports of avalanche activity. If the wind picks-up, new wind slab activity may occur, especially in areas where snow surfaces are loose and unconsolidated.
Snowpack Summary
Continued cold temperatures are promoting surface faceting at all elevations. Surfaces are reported to be wind-affected in exposed areas, and wind slabs exist in lee terrain at treeline and in the alpine. Areas sheltered from the wind may be developing a new surface hoar layer. The mid-november crust is buried down 100-180 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests. Moderate results may be more likely in shallower snowpack areas, and deeper snowpack areas may be more likely to show no results on this layer. Professionals continue to monitor the crust for facet development that may provide a weak layer above a hard sliding surface in the future.
Problems
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.