Continued snowfall and strong winds will continue to build reactive storm slabs.
Use caution as you approach wind affected areas and limit overhead exposure during times of rapid loading
Cooling temps and rapid loading will make small dry loose avalanches likely in steep terrain at upper elevations. These avalanches may move quickly with a thin crust as a bed surface.
Ongoing snowfall and strong gusty winds will continue to build reactive slabs. These slabs may run farther than expected on a thin crust that formed on Dec 15th. Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain
Wow, what an avalanche cycle! Heavy rainfall and warm temps triggered a widespread natural avalanche cycle up to size 3.5 in the highway corridor. Artillery avalanche control was very effective, with some avalanches showing wide propagation and running to the bottom of runouts.
Warm temps and rain have significantly changed the snowpack at treeline & below.
New snow should bury a thin crust up to approximately 2300m, at lower elevations this crust is thicker (~3 cms) and has moist snow below
Approximately 150cms (or more!) of settled storm snow has fallen in the last couple of weeks. This sits on the on top of the November rain crust. A spotty layer of surface hoar is just above the Nov Crust and exists at treeline in sheltered areas.
The storms keep rolling in. Expect strong winds and continued snowfall.
Tonight Snow 25cm. Low -5°C. Winds SW 25km/hr-gusting 50. FZL (freezing level) 1300m.
Wed Flurries, 6cm. High -4°C. Wind SW 45km/hr gusting to 110km/hr. FZL 1300m.
Thurs Periods of snow, 14cm. Alp High -8°C. Wind SW 35-45. FZL 900m.
Fri Flurries, 6cm. SW winds 20km/hr gusting to 60 km/hr. FZL 900m.
