Winds are forecast to increase in the coming days so watch for the windslabs in alpine terrain to become more reactive and widespread. A spring snowpack is still a ways off.
Confidence
Moderate - Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Tuesday
Weather Forecast
A mix of sun and cloud is forecast for monday with light isolated flurries. The winds are supposed to ramp up on tuesday into the strong range so we expect the ski quality in alpine areas to diminsh over the coming days....Temps will be below average with daytime highs are -5C
Avalanche Summary
Loose dry sluffing up to sz 1 was observed from steeper alpine areas. No new slab activity was observed.
Snowpack Summary
10-20cm of snow has fallen over the past 48hrs with NW winds at higher elevations creating new thin windslabs as well as burying the previous ones. These windslabs are easy to find in alpine terrain and are 20-40cm thick. What natural avalanche activity we did see on before the weekend showed these windslabs failing mainly on N and E aspects in steeper terrain or in unsupported features. Field test were showing an easy to moderate sheer at the interface of the windslabs with the underlying snow. Be heads up in steeper areas and choose supported terrain. The best skiing will be on N aspects due to crusts on solar aspects. Despite cooler temperatures, when the sun does come out it has lots of punch so be thinking about the affects of solar radiation later in the day.
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.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.