Watch out for wind-loaded slopes in exposed areas.
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY NIGHT: Dry with clear periods.MONDAY: Dry with a mix of sun and cloud. Light southwesterly winds. Treeline temperatures around -10C.TUESDAY: Dry with a mix of sun and cloud. Light southwesterly winds. Treeline temperatures around -10C.WEDNESDAY: Dry with a mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southwesterly winds. Treeline temperatures around -5C.
Avalanche Summary
Small (size 1.5) storm slabs were reported in response to skier traffic on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
Approximately 20 cm recent storm snow was accompanied by strong winds that blew first from the southwest and then from the northwest. A weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) was buried on Boxing day in this region and is now buried 20-30 cm below the surface. This layer could be an issue in areas where wind has blown the snow into drifts. 80-130 cm below the surface is an old persistent weak layer that formed in early December. This layer mostly consists of facets (sugary snow) with some isolated areas also containing small surface hoar (feathery crystals). While professionals are still tracking this layer, it has not been reactive for some time now. Near the bottom of the snowpack lies a mix of crusts and facets that formed in late October/early November. Triggering an avalanche at the base of the snowpack is unlikely at this time, although the most likely place to do so would be from a steep rocky start zone in an area where the snowpack was shallow.
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.