A weak layer down 30-50cm is prime for human triggering, especially where the snow above has been stiffened by the wind.
Carefully evaluate your line from a safe location!
Moderate southerly winds and 50cm of new snow this week formed fresh wind slabs that sit on a weak layer comprised of surface hoar and/ or a crust. This layer has shown a high likelihood for propagation in tests done on a wind affected slope in the alpine.
Up to 50cm of new snow this week is settling into a slab, even where sheltered from the wind.
No new natural avalanches have been observed in the last 2 days. Although the natural cycle has slowed, human triggering remain possible to likely where the new snow overlays surface hoar. There have been several reports of rider triggered avalanches up to size 1 in neighbouring terrain.
Numerous natural avalanches were observed on Friday into early Saturday morning, caused by new snow and southerly wind. These averaged size 2-3 and were running far into the runouts.
We've received ~50cm of new snow since Jan 7th. This new snow buries a weak interface, which consists of widespread surface hoar on all aspects into the high alpine, and a thin suncrust on steep S to W aspects. Moderate southerly winds have redistributed this new snow in wind exposed terrain.
Overall the mid and lower snowpack is strong and well settled.
High pressure stabilizes, deflecting storms north.
Tonight Mainly cloudy. Alpine low -12°C. Wind W-15km/hr. Freezing level (FZL) at valley bottom.
Mon Mix of sun & cloud. Alpine high -5 °C. Wind W-20km/hr. FZL 900m. Alpine temperature inversion.
Tues Mainly cloudy. Alpine high -3 °C. Wind W-25km/hr. FZL 1500m.
Wed Mainly cloudy. Alpine high -2°C. Wind SW-25km/hr. FZL 1400m.
