Strong winds are building new windslab from Feb 9s 20cm. Although the natural avalanche activity has declined, it could still be possible to trigger windslabs in the lee of ridgecrests. Suncrest on S aspects but great skiing in sheltered areas.
Weather Forecast
Only light precip over higher elevations forecast for the next couple of days. Winds will continue to be strong although the northwesterly flow aloft means that ridgecrests in the Cameron lake area may be somewhat sheltered. Continued solar radiation will mean sun effect on south aspects.
Snowpack Summary
The 10-20cm of snow we received on Feb 9 is sitting on surface hoar, suncrust and old windslabs. Solar radiation resulted in moist snow on direct S asp today. Strong NW winds are building windslabs on E asp in the immediate lee of ridgecrests. Surface hoar was found on all aspects today which will be something to look out for down the road.
Avalanche Summary
The avalanche activity has subsided from the loose snow avalanches we observed in the last 48 hours. A couple of size 1 loose snow avalanches that occurred in the last 24 hours were observed in the Cameron lake area today on a north aspect at treeline.
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.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.