So much unconsolidated snow!
Expect small loose dry and soft storm slab avalanches in steep terrain, and be extra cautious in any areas where the wind has stiffened the upper snowpack
With all the new snow expect to find heavy sluffing in steep terrain. Be mindful of what your sluff is doing around you, especially above terrain traps or areas you don't want to be pushed through.
Steady snowfall this past week has left plenty of snow available for transport. Even brief periods of wind could stiffen the surface into a slab. This avalanche problem will be most reactive in the alpine and exposed areas at tree line.
Reports continue to trickle in of wind effect, shooting cracks, and isolated avalanches in steep open terrain at upper elevations.
There was a size 2 skier triggered wind slab below the Asulkan hut on Thursday afternoon. The slab was 30-50cms deep and 40m wide.
The operations around us are also reporting a mix of wind slab and stormslabs as well as sluffing in steep terrain.
Recent stormy weather has deposited a meter of new snow over the last week. New snow and Light to Moderate SW winds continue to build fresh slabs in specific features (ridge lee areas, open cross-loaded slopes, convex rolls).
A notable layer is down 90-120cm. This interface has been dormant for weeks, but consists of surface hoar in sheltered locations, and a sun crust on solar aspects. The snowpack's base is comprised of several early-season melt-freeze rain crusts
A weakened front will continue to produce light snowfall through this evening.
Tonight Flurries (up to 10cm). Alpine low -7°C. Light Southwest ridgetop wind.
Sun Isolated flurries, trace snowfall. Alpine High -7°C. Light West winds. Freezing level (FZL) 1200m.
Mon Isolated flurries, trace snow. Alpine Low -11 °C, High -9 °C. Light West wind.
Tues Sunny periods. Alpine Low -13 °C, High -11 °C. Light SW wind.
