carefully assess each slope for wind slab. wind slab avalanches have the potential to step down to deeper layers.
Variable winds mean that wind slab could be found on all aspects at treeline and above. These slabs will likely overlie facets, a crust or surface hoar meaning that they could be touchy. When strong winds are observed wind slab could be found further down slope than expected.
Be aware that wind slab avalanches could step down to deeper layers.
Two concerning persistent weak layers can be found in the top meter of the snowpack. The first is a surface hoar/crust layer from early December and the second is a surface hoar, facet or crust layer from mid November. These layers are most concerning on sheltered treeline features where surface hoar is most likely to be preserved.
On Tuesday explosive control produced a few small avalanches, up to size one. No other recent avalanches have been reported.
Variable winds mean that wind slab could be found on all aspects at treeline and above. These new slabs will form over facets, surface hoar or a crust meaning they will not bond well.
Around 50cm overlies a layer of surface hoar at treeline and a thin crust on steep south facing slopes. This layer was formed in early December and is less widespread than the other layers of concern in the snowpack.
The mid-November layer consisting of facets and surface hoar is now buried around 80 cm deep. These depths will vary throughout our region with decreased depths in the northern areas.
The snowpack in the forecast region is quite variable and increasingly complex with snowpack depths at treeline varying from 100cm to 200cm.
Thursday Night
Flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow.. Light westerly winds and a low of -30 at 1800m.
Friday
Cloudy with up to 5cm of new snow expected. westerly winds increasing throughout the day to strong . High of -22 at 1800m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with around 5cm of new snow expected. Strong southwest winds and a high of -16 at 1800m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Strong westerly winds and a high of -10 at 1800m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
