Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Keep in mind that cold temperatures significantly increase the consequence of even minor injuries in the backcountry.
Recent winds have created wind slabs on a variety of aspects and created a lot of variability in the upper snowpack. Recent wind slab formation has been reported at all elevations, including open areas below treeline.
A persistent slab problem formed by a crust down 50-150 cm has created a low likelihood, high consequence scenario that is difficult to forecast.
Avoid likely trigger spots such as steep, rocky slopes with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy / Light variable wind / Low of -28
WEDNESDAY: Sunny / Light west wind increasing to moderate in the afternoon / High of -19
THURSDAY: Cloudy / Moderate northwest wind / High of -18
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light variable wind / High of -20
Numerous natural and explosive triggered storm slab and dry loose avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported at all elevations on Monday.
Additionally, an explosive triggered size 3 persistent slab was reported in the alpine. The avalanche failed on the crust formed in early December which is down 50-150 cm.
Recent storm totals reached over 100 cm of low density snow. Reports indicate the recent snow buried a layer of surface hoar in some areas.
Expect dry loose avalanches (sluffing) running far and fast in steep terrain.
A crust from early December is now 90-150 cm below the surface, and is found up to 2400 m. A layer of weak facets (sugary snow) has been reported above and below this crust. This is the layer of concern in our persistent avalanche problem, recent snowpack tests are generally showing hard results on this interface.
The lower snowpack consists of a variety of early-season crusts and mainly moist snow. Snowpack depths range from 100-250 cm at treeline elevations and taper quickly below 1800 m.
