Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
South Coast.
Strong outflow winds have produced stiff wind slabs. Lingering reactive wind slabs are most likely in wind-loaded areas: below ridgelines, under cornices, and around steep, unsupported features.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Tuesday
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear cloudy periods isolated flurries overnight, trace accumulation. Treeline temperatures near -10C. Ridgetop winds light from the northeast.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm accumulation overnight. Treeline temperatures near -5C. Ridgetop winds light from the northeast.TUESDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, 5-10 cm accumulation. Treeline temperatures near -7C. Ridgetop winds light to moderate from the northeast.WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny. Treeline temperatures near -5C. Ridgetop winds light to moderate from the northeast.
Avalanche Summary
Small size 1 wind slabs have been reactive to skier traffic, no recent natural avalanches have been reported.Last Monday, a MIN from Mt. Anif showed substantial wind loading and a reactive wind slab problem at treeline and alpine elevations (see report here).
Snowpack Summary
Heavy wind transport has produced wind press, sastrugi, and scoured most high north-northeasterly aspects. Widespread wind slabs have developed in the alpine and treeline with deeper deposits lower in start zones. Pockets of soft snow may still be found in sheltered areas and more likely on south and west aspects. This wind affected snow sits above an crust, old wind-pressed snow surfaces, or surface hoar in the most sheltered areas. The mid-pack is well-settled and strong.
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.