Although stability is improving, the current avalanche hazard requires careful assessment and thoughtful decision making.
Weather Forecast
Cloudy with scattered flurries today accumulating to 5cm. Freezing levels rising to 700m with an alpine high of -9. Ridge winds will be southeast 25 km/h. Sun returns on the weekend with a ridge of high pressure but temperatures will remain cold. On monday a low pressure system with a SW flow brings more scatted precipitation and another 10cm.
Snowpack Summary
10cm of new snow fell overnight bringing the height of snow at treeline to 2m. Recent storm snow is settling into a persistent slab sitting on the December 18th facet/ surface hoar layer down55cm. Stability tests are showing that the Dec 18th interface is reactive. Buried wind slabs exist near ridges. The lower pack contains faceted weak layers.
Avalanche Summary
Hand charge testing produced 1 size 1 avalanche in a thin storm slab. Yesterday, a field team observed whumphing and cracking in the storm slab on approach to the Grizzly Shoulder head wall.
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.