New snow and relatively light winds have freshened up the ski quality in many areas.
Weather Forecast
Dribs and drabs of snow are expected over the next few days with seasonal temps and continued moderate SW winds at the higher elevations. No major frontal systems are expected to cross the region until Tuesday.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed today.
Snowpack Summary
8-12cm of new snow over the past 24hrs with generally very little wind. We currently have two main concerns within the snowpack. New windslabs that are building in Alpine areas as well as isolated areas at treeline and the Dec 3rd surface hoar/facet interface down 40-60cm. The new windslabs are being found along ridgelines, and in gullied terrain in the alpine. As of todays observations these slabs are only 10-15cm deep and in immediate lees but they were reactive to a skiers weight. As they grow under the influence of new winds and more snow we can expect the problem to become more widespread so pay attention as you travel. The other concern, the Dec 3rd layer hasn't produced any avalanches in some time but as we get more and more snow, this load may become reactive later in the season.
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.