Recent snow and strong southerly winds continue to form fresh wind slabs on lee features which may be reactive to human triggers.
Avoid steep or convex slopes where the wind has made the snow stiff or "slabby".
Strong southerly winds continue to form fresh wind slabs on lee features which may be reactive to human triggers.
Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
If the sun comes out, the likelihood of naturally triggered wet loose avalanches will increase rapidly.
A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Tuesday night: Partly cloudy with isolated flurries; 3-10 cm / Moderate southwest winds / Low of -9.
Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm / Light southwest wind / High of -2.
Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries; 3-10 cm / Moderate south wind / High of -2.
Friday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light west wind / High of -4.
A couple naturally triggered size 2 wet slab avalanches were observed on steep, solar aspects on Monday.
A small (size 1) skier triggered wind slab avalanche was also reported on a steep slope in the alpine.
20-30 cm of recent snow sits on a hard surface of either wind-pressed old snow or sun crusts on solar aspects.
Strong southerly winds continue to form fresh wind slabs on lee features which may be reactive to human triggers.
A strong mid-pack sits on top of weak facets near the ground.
Cornices are very large and exposure to them should be minimized, especially during warm or windy weather.
