The snowpack needs time to adjust to significant new snow and wind this week.
Stormy conditions on Wednesday will continue to build slabs that could be surprisingly deep and reactive.
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.
New snow and wind on Wednesday add to significant snowfall and wind in the past week. Recently formed storm slabs still need time to settle and stabilize. These slabs may be surprisingly deep and reactive in wind-loaded terrain.
No new avalanches have been reported at the time of publishing, but observations have been limited by stormy weather.
Looking forward to Wednesday, recently formed storm slabs are expected to remain reactive to human-triggering, especially in wind-loaded terrain.
Up to 15 cm of new snow by end of day Wednesday overlies 50 to 70 cm of recent storm snow. Strong southerly wind has left a variety of surfaces - wind slabs and loaded pockets in lee features, scoured rock in open terrain, and storm slabs and softer snow in sheltered areas.
This new snow 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.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
