While you've been choking on pow, we're starting to feel like a broken record over here. But the wind has to show up at some point. And when it does...
Avalanche danger will increase to HIGH in the alpine. Deep and reactive wind slabs are likely to trigger naturally as they form.
Strong winds are transporting upwards of 45 cm of recent low density snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain features. These slabs are expected to be highly reactive due to a poor bond to underlying surfaces.
Friday night: Continued snow flurries up to 5 cm. SW wind building to strong. Alpine temperature near -12.
Saturday: Continued snow flurries 5-10 cm. Strong SW wind. Alpine temperature near -8.
Sunday: Continued snow flurries 5-10 cm. Strong SW wind easing in the evening. Alpine temperature near -4. Freezing levels variable through region 500-1000 m.
Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Moderate W wind. Alpine temperature near -7. Freezing level valley bottom.
On Wednesday numerous size 1 dry loose and soft slabs ran naturally and were easily reactive to skier triggering. On the Alaska side, strong outflow winds made for touchy avalanche conditions, with large natural releases running to the road. We are expecting similar conditions in White Pass once the wind picks up.
Flurries continue to accumulate over the recent 50 cm of low-density snow that fell without wind prior Friday. Strong SW winds are now likely transporting all that new snow into wind slabs in lee terrain features. These fresh slabs will likely be reactive due to a poor bond to underlying surfaces including surface hoar on sheltered northerly aspects and hard slab in wind-affected areas.
In shallow snowpack areas a layer of loose facets sits at the bottom of the snowpack.
