Strong winds, 20cm of new snow and heat from the sun mean avalanches are likely today. Manage your group conservatively and minimize exposure to hazards overhead.
Weather Forecast
We'll experience a break between storm fronts today with a mix of sun & clouds. 1-2 cms of snow are expected today with the skies clearing in the afternoon. Freezing level will be at 1300m, with alpine highs of -6 deg and west ridge winds 20-40 kph. A second frontal system moves in on Tuesday bringing up to 20cm by late Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
Strong South winds have blown around our 22cm of new snow creating wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. 30cm of storm snow snow sits on a breakable crust on SE through W aspects and widespread surface hoar on shaded aspects. The February 10th surface hoar / sun crust is down 50-90cm and is much less reactive than a few days ago.
Avalanche Summary
We received 3 reports of a skier triggered avalanches in the last couple of days. A sz 1 in Balu Pass, failing down 10 on the Feb 27 surface hoar layer and another windslab in the Asulkan valley from a convexity in high north facing terrain. With over 20 cms of new snow, winds gusting over 100kph and heat from the sun, avalanches are likely today!
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.
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.