Our weak snowpack just had 20-30cm of snow put on top of it and another 10 is forecast for tonight. Time to rein yourself in and allow the snowpack to settle to this new load.
Weather Forecast
Cold temps are expected to continue for a few more days until conditions begin to warm up late in the day on Sunday. Overnight on Friday we can expect another 5-10cm of snow to fall with winds pushing into the moderate range out of the north before they calm down during the day on Saturday.
Avalanche Summary
A few slabs were observed failing with the recent snow on steeper unsupported terrain up to sz 1.5. These mainly occurred on southerly aspects. Of note some of the loose dry avalanches of late have gone very far and are sluffing fast entraining lots of snow as they travel down the slope. Ice climbers should pay particular attention.
Snowpack Summary
21cm storm snow overnight at Burstall with 30cm overnight at Aster lake. Storm snow tapers to 15cm at lower elevations. This new snow fell with light winds out of the north and as a result we are seeing some reverse loading in a few areas in the Alpine. Watch for new windslabs and storm slabs 20-30cm deep in alpine areas and at treeline in steeper terrain. These slabs will be slow to settle out with the cooler temps. Down 40-50cm in the snowpack is the December 15th surface hoar layer being found up to 2250m. A lack of a cohesive slab overlying this layer has prevented it being a problem but we can expect it to develop over the next few days as the snow settles. Pay attention where this layer is and isnt as you travel.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.
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.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.