Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles.
Rider triggerable storm slabs could be found at all elevations and on all aspects. The largest and most reactive will likely be found at treeline and above on north and east aspects. Large cornices have formed as a result of the recent stormy weather.
A layer of large, weak facets sits near the base of the snowpack. This layer is most prominent in the upper treeline and lower alpine elevations. This layer may be triggered by large loads like a wind slab avalanche that steps down to deeper layers or a cornice release.
Our field team observed a significant natural avalanche on Saturday. Check out the MIN for more details.
We suspect that a natural storm and wind slab cycle took place on Sunday but as of this writing reports have not yet come in.
Recent snowfall amounts have varied widely across the region with up to 60cm of storm snow reported. Westerly winds have been redistributing the above mentioned storm snow into wind slabs and large cornices.
The mid-pack is gaining strength and consists of rounding facets and melt-freeze crusts that are starting to degrade. A spotty surface hoar layer buried around January 4th can still be found between 60 to 80 cm. Avalanche activity has not been reported on this layer recently but it is still showing up in snowpack tests.
Near the base of the snowpack, a persistent weak layer composed of large and weak facets formed in November is strengthening slowly. This layer is most likely to be triggered in thin, rocky alpine and upper treeline terrain.
Sunday Night
Cloudy with up to 5cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate northwest winds and a low of -6 at 1500m.
Monday
Increasing cloud throughout the day with a few centimeters of new snow in the afternoon. Light variable winds and temperatures at 1500m falling to -8.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny with no new snow expected. Moderate northeast winds and temperatures at 1500m falling to -21.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny with no new snow expected. Moderate northeast winds and temperatures at 1500m around -25.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
