Avalanche Forecast

Clear skies today revealed further evidence of the previous avalanche cycle up to size 3.0 mainly on N and E aspects in the Alpine. Natural avalanche activity has tapered, but human triggering is likely.

Quite a change in our snowpack over the past 48hrs. Most ridges are back to being gravel or old snow and many treed areas have been blown clean. This has led to a new batch of wind slabs in most lee and cross-loaded areas. Many of the avalanches from the last couple of days have been filled in with only the debris deposits being visible. There's a good chance the crust from the last rain storm is exposed in wind prone areas. While the wind slabs are the main concern, don't forget the deeper layers are still players in the avalanche game. Dig down and keep track of the crust's location/condition/reactivity and remember, in some areas the early December surface hoar layer may still be intact. The snowpack is still very shallow and travel at lower elevations is challenging.

Tuesday will bring mainly sunny skies and moderate to strong westerly winds. Temperatures will be mild with an above freezing layer possible between 1800 and 3000m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.