A strong temperature inversion and solar radiation may destabilize surface snow layers.
Be sure to monitor for changing conditions as you climb out of the cold valley bottoms.
Another sneaky 5-10cms of new snow with 30-40 km/hr Southerly winds created windslabs on Wednesday/ Thursday. These slabs may be losing their energy, but will still need a little more time to fully lose their reactivity.
With warm temperatures forecast at treeline and above tomorrow, loose avalanches could end up entraining more mass than before.
Field teams have observed skier triggered size 1's the past couple days, which were isolated to the new snow on old firm bed surfaces. Despite their small size, they were moving fast in steep terrain.
An avalanche cycle was observed in the park on Wednesday. The avalanches were in the 1.5-2 range and all looked to be the result of wind loading. Recent MIN reports also describe a reactive windslab problem.
Moderate SW winds overnight on the 23rd created variable wind slabs in the alpine and exposed treeline. Sheltered areas have ~15cm of low density, faceted (sugary) snow atop a denser, wind-pressed layer. The Jan 7th layer is down 30-60cm, comprised of surface hoar (all aspects) and/or a thin crust on steep S aspects. The mid and lower snowpack are well bonded and strong.
A strong ridge of high pressure is firmly planted. Mainly clear skies and no precipitation for the foreseeable future.
Tonight Clear periods. Ridge wind W 10 km/h. Alp low -10C°. Alpine temp inversion.
Sun Sun & cloud. Precip: nil. Alpine high -4C°. Ridge wind W 10km/h. Strong alpine temp inversion.
Mon Sun & cloud. Alp high 1 C°. Ridge wind: NW 15 km/hr. Strong alpine temp inversion
Monday