Large avalanches are possible in isolated terrain features (couloirs, steep faces, etc). Evaluate the snowpack thoroughly before entering your line.
Weather Forecast
A strong ridge of high pressure is sitting over the region giving us clear sunny skies. The winds will be from the north in the 15-35km/hr range with an Alpine high of -17... bbrrr thats cold, bring an extra layer or two! The ridge of high pressure looks like it will persist until mid week, with no snow in the forecast until Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
50 cm of low density snow redistributed by variable winds in the alpine and tree line forming pockets of wind slab. Below tree line the storm snow remains unconsolidated and sits on the Dec 15 surface hoar which is widespread and largest where sheltered. In the alpine, Dec 15 is a thin crust on solar aspects and small surface hoar on polar aspects.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed yesterday.Numerous natural avalanches from a few days ago up to sz 2.5 in steep terrain.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.
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.