The slow increase in avalanche hazard continues. Not a huge increase in the hazard, but we are still expecting things to get worse before they get better. Today's field trip noted especially variable conditions. Choose terrain carefully. MM
Weather Forecast
We'll be coasting for another day on the same weather pattern as the last 24hrs. Very light precip and sustained westerly winds in the alpine. Overnight Sunday another wave of precip will move through. By Tuesday morning up to 14cm are expected. As this wave wears out, the winds will shift to the north, but decrease in speed.
Avalanche Summary
Lots of loose dry out of extreme alpine terrain. These have run fast and entrained a fair amount of snow. This cycle seems to over. Isolated windslabs have also pulled out. They are generally small and isolated to ridge crests in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 15 cm of new snow has come in a series of weak storms in the last 48hrs. Strong winds accompanied the snow. There are windslabs building at TL & ALP, on all N to E asp. These new slabs are the latest in a series of slab building events. There are now up to 4 different slabs lurking beneath the surface. These sit on the hardslab that was created weeks ago. This layer is the one we are watching closely. Cornices have been growing lately.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.
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.