Seeking sheltered snow is a good way to avoid wind slabs, but all steep slopes should be approached with caution. A weak layer of surface hoar buried by the storm may still be in play.
Shifting wind acting on 30-40 cm of recent snow has led to large wind slabs forming on a wide range of aspects in exposed areas. Pockets of preserved surface hoar at mid elevations could lead to surprising reactivity in more sheltered areas.
Visibility has been limited but avalanche observations are still coming in. On Saturday and Sunday, many natural and explosives-triggered wind slabs up to size 2.5 were reported in more northern and coastal parts of the region. These occurred on a wide range of aspects, predominantly in the alpine and to a lesser extent at treeline.
We have yet to receive a solid indication of the reactivity of our buried surface hoar layer.
30-60 cm cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by variable winds, which means wind slabs may be found on all aspects in exposed areas.
In more sheltered areas this recent snow may overlie large, feathery surface hoar at treeline (more likely a crust below treeline). Observations of the surface hoar since its burial on Dec 9 are limited but slabs that form where this layer is preserved could be surprisingly reactive - and destructive if triggered.
The mid snowpack contains several crusts from November that are generally well bonded to the surrounding snowpack. The height of snow at treeline is around 150 cm and tapers rapidly below treeline.
Monday Night
Mainly clear, Southwest alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h.
Tuesday
Increasing cloud with isolated flurries. South alpine wind 30 to 70 km/h, increasing over the day and overnight. Treeline temperature -3°C with freezing level to 1200 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with flurries continuing from overnight bringing up to 20 total cm of new snow. Southwest alpine wind 30 to 70 km/h, easing. Treeline temperature -2°C with Freezing level falling to 800 m.
Thursday
Clearing. South alpine wind 40-60 km/h, increasing. Treeline temperature -3°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
