Winds and Temps are both expected to increase on Thursday so we can expect avalanche danger to also increase. Precip amounts are uncertain as well as timing of the incoming storm so watch for danger to increase throughout the day.
Confidence
Moderate - Track of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Thursday
Weather Forecast
We can expect another 10cm of snow over the next few days but we can also expect the winds to increase into the strong range out of the SW. With this rising winds and influx of new snow we can expect to slowly see the avalanche danger begin to increase. Expect the snow to begin again late in the day on Thursday with the arrival of this latest frontal system.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed today but conditions were obscured for the better part of the day.
Snowpack Summary
5-7cm of new snow fell across the region today with generally light winds. This new snow is very low density and easily moveable by recent winds which have been generally light out of the SW but occasional periods of moderate winds have created some new windslabs at higher elevations. The Jan 6th interface is now down 25-30cm throughout the region and as the load increases on this layer, the human triggerability of this layer will also increase. Ridgelines, and gullied terrain in the Alpine will be areas to be cautious. Any slab that initiates in the Alpine terrain will likely entrain the loose facets as it travels down slope and run quite far so use caution and dont underestimate the runout potential.
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.