5-10 cms of new snow with wind has created new windslabs. Expect these to be reactive, especially around ridgetop.
Cold temperatures can turn a minor incident into a serious one. Be sure to pack extra layers, a hot drink and emergency blanket or tarp.
Another sneaky 5-10cms of new snow with 30-40 km/hr Southerly winds will have been building fresh windslab. Previous to this, winds have varied in direction so be on the lookout for reverse loading. Fresh wind slabs are thin but they may be enough to trigger the persistent slab hiding 30-60 cm deep.
An avalanche cycle was observed in the park yesterday. The avalanches were in the 1.5-2 range and all looked to be the result of wind loading. Recent MIN reports also describe a reactive windslab problem.
A persistent slab avalanche was reported by a third party in the Kors-Thomas bowl of Avalanche Mountain last Sunday. No details of the event are available but it appears to have been skier triggered.
Moderate SW winds created thin, reactive surface wind slabs. Localised downflowing valley winds have created wind effect in open areas BTL. Sheltered areas have ~15cm of cold, faceted snow atop a denser, wind-pressed layer. Below this lies a weak interface (Jan 7th layer) down 30-60cm, comprised of surface hoar (all aspects) and or a thin crust on steep S aspects.
After Thursday's brief storm, we'll see a return to clear & cold.
Tonight Cloudy with clear periods. Ridge wind NW 15 km/h gusting 40. Alp low -14C°. Freezing level (FZL) 500m
Fri Mix of sun & cloud. Alp high -11C°. Ridge wind light gusting to 35km/hr
Sat Mix of sun & cloud. Alp high -10C°. Ridge wind light. FZL at valley bottom
Sun Sun & cloud. Precip: nil. Alpine high -5C°. Ridge wind W 10-30km/h. FZL 1200m with inversion
Saturday