Pockets of wind slab likely exist in steep break-overs in terrain in the Alpine. Continue to investigate the bond at the mid-February crust layer that is now buried 40-70cm.
The most likely place to trigger a wind slab is near ridge crest and on convex terrain features. Use extra caution when dropping into a run, highmarking, or travelling on ridges.
A stout crust from mid-February is now buried 40-70cm below the surface. This interface has not been exhibiting reactivity but the recipe for avalanches is there so this layer should continue to be investigated and treated with respect.
Tuesday night: Cloudy. 5-10cm of new snow. Light winds from the south. -3°C
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. 5cm of new snow with rain at lower elevations. Light winds from the south. A high of -2°C and a low of -4°C. Freezing levels around 950m.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. Winds beginning from the south and then shifting to north by the afternoon. A high of +1°C and a low of -2. Freezing level near 1000m
Friday: A mix of sun and clouds. No precipitation. Winds light from the north. A high of 0°C and a low of -5°C.
No new avalanches were reported as of Tuesday afternoon. That being said, visibility has been poor and observations are likely limited.
20-60cm of new snow now sits on top of a thick crust from mid-February. Some of this snow has been distributed into wind slab in leeward facing features at upper treeline and alpine elevations.
The upper snowpack appears to be bonding to the mid-February crust in most places. However, the field team did observe reactivity in test profiles on this layer (ECTP29) and the recipe for avalanches exists at this interface.
The lower snowpack is effectively capped, making human triggering of avalanches on deeper weak layers unlikely.
