Moderate avalanche hazard means human-triggered avalanches are possible. Winds slabs and a buried sun crust require thoughtful decision making.
Weather Forecast
A mix of sun and cloud as a weather system moves out of the area. No significant precipitation is expected. Moderate northerly winds will calm this morning and back to the SE. Freezing levels climb to 1100m. A light snowfall begins early Saturday morning with up to 6cm. Temperatures drop on Sunday with the arrival of a cold front and trace precip.
Snowpack Summary
35cm of settling storm snow now buries a facet layer. Height of snow at 1900m is 330cm. Moderate winds have created wind slabs that can be found on all aspects above tree line. A crust is down 30-50cm on solar aspects and the mid January persistent weak layers are buried 150-200cm.
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanches observed.
Problems
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.