Stormy weather continues, increasing avalanche hazard at upper elevations.
Strong winds will impact new flurries and loose snow, building deeper and more reactive slabs in lee features. Be mindful of snowfall accumlating through Sunday, a more widespread storm slab problem may come into play by day's end.
A crust/facet layer formed in mid-November exists deep in the snowpack. This layer may remain reactive at higher elevations, where an overlying, supportive crust is absent or weaker compared to lower elevations.
On Saturday, this MIN documented a size 1 storm slab avalanche triggered on the southerly slope at 1900 m.
Last Monday, several large (size 2.5 to 3) natural avalanches occurred along the Duffey corridor. These all failed on the mid-November crust and facet layer.
Strong southerly winds are impacting flurries and modifying snow surfaces.
Over the last week, 30 to 50 cm of storm snow accumulated, accompanied by strong alpine winds. This covers a crust that becomes increasingly supportive above 1700 m.
A deeper crust with associated facets, formed in mid-November, exists 50 to 150 cm below the surface and has been responsible for recent large avalanche activity.
Sunday night
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Monday
Cloudy. 15 to 20 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
