Periods of sun may trigger small loose avalanches. It may also cause cornices to fail. Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and punchy. Not only is it possible to trigger these windslabs, but the skiing will be much better elsewhere.
Weather Forecast
A weak ridge of high pressure combined with an arctic front moving southwards will bring cool temps, moderate southerly winds and some sunshine today. Over the weekend expect temps to remain cool, mostly cloudy skies with periods of sun, light to moderate southerly winds, and a few flurries.
Snowpack Summary
New snow in the last 24hrs has been denser, creating slightly "upside down" conditions. Periods of strong SW winds yesterday formed soft windslabs in immediate lees. The Nov28 surface hoar is down about 80cm where it exists. The early Nov crust is widespread and down about 1.5m. Tests on these layers indicate they would be hard to trigger.
Avalanche Summary
Periods of strong southerly winds triggered large natural avalanches from steep, lee avalanche paths overnight.
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.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.