Wind slabs lurk in exposed places at higher elevations. With weekend crowds, maintain awareness of other groups above and below you.
Weather Forecast
A weak SW flow is establishing but forecasted precipitation remains light. Trace amounts of snow today with freezing levels staying below 900m. Ridge wind will be SW 20km/h with an alpine temperature of -8.
Snowpack Summary
40cm of snow from last week's storm is settling and is generally bonding. In isolated areas it overlies surface hoar and may be reactive. Variable wind effect exists in the alpine, and steep S aspects have a breakable suncrust. Snowpack tests indicate that the snowpack is stubborn to triggering, however it is weakest a low elevations
Avalanche Summary
We received a report of a size 2 natural slab avalanche on Mt Swanzy in the Loop Brook area, though it is unclear how old the slide is. Natural activity has generally been limited to sluffing from steep unskiable terrain.
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.