Storm slabs are resting on a layer of facets and may be slow to bond. Reactivity may persist longer than usual.
20-50 cm of recent snow is is settling into a storm slab in the mild temperatures. These storm slabs are poorly bonded to an underlying layer of facets.
Storm slabs have been reactive and large due to wide propagation. Observations in the past two days have included:
natural to size 2 (large)
explosive-triggered to size 3 (very large)
rider-triggered mostly size 1.5 but up to size 2, several of which were triggered remotely.
20-50 cm of recent snow is settling rapidly in mild temperatures. It sits poorly bonded to an underlying layer of facets formed during the cold snap. At upper elevations, the recent snow has been redistributed by wind. At lower elevations, a thin crust or moist snow may be found at the surface.
Old layers of surface hoar and crusts in the mid snowpack appear to be healing. The mid and lower snowpack is generally strong and well bonded.
Wednesday night
Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing around 5 cm of new snow. South alpine wind 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with flurries brining around 5 cm of new snow. South alpine wind 30-40 km/h. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Friday
5-10 cm of new snow overnight then a mix of sun and cloud. Southwest alpine wind 30-40 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C, freezing level 1400 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with flurries brining around 5 cm of new snow. Southwest alpine wind 40-50 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
