We are in a pattern of change with the warming temperatures and Spring like weather. Limit your exposure when the solar radiation is strong.
Weather Forecast
Thursday is to bring a mix of sun and cloud with a chance of light flurries in the afternoon. The morning will start at around -17c and warm up to -7c. Winds are expected to be moderate from the SW.
Avalanche Summary
One size 2 slab avalanche on a south aspect on Mt. Birdwood occured in the last 36 hours. This slab was 20-40cm thick. Numerous other loose dry and thin slab avalanches were observed in the alpine running into treeline from East to South aspects.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs are in abundance in the Alpine. As you descend to tree line, these slabs seem to quickly disappear, likely due to the persistent facetting. The bridging strength of the midpack that we have been observing all winter at tree line and below has disappeared. Overall the snowpack is very weak and it is possible that loose snow facet avalanches could occur at any elevation, triggered by solar input, cornice failures, loose rocks or a skier/rider. These slides have the potential to run far and could be problematic in gullies and similar terrain traps. At low elevations expect ski penetration to ground if you leave an established track. The solar radiation is starting to have an effect on slopes that are facing the sun.
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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.
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.