Ho Ho Ho! Santa's slapping down some slabs. Be suspect of slopes with a stiff surface, lest you surf this snow unsuspectingly!
Reactive wind slabs are most prevalent in immediate lee features at and above Tree-line, and are building with strong SW winds.
Steady, light snowfall this past week has left plenty of snow available for transport. Moderate to strong, gusty winds over the next few days will increase the wind slab hazard. This avalanche problem will be most reactive in the alpine and exposed areas at tree line.
A natural avalanche cycle on Tues was observed in the hwy corridor off Mt Macdonald's N aspect. Wind spikes and the resulting snow transport were the likely triggers.
On Monday, several small, sz 1 skier-controlled avalanches from steep, unsupported rolls were noted.
Continuous snowfall the past week has brought 80+cm. Mod to strong S/SW winds are now moving this storm snow around, forming a reactive storm slab in specific features (ridge lee areas, open cross-loaded slopes, convex rolls).
A persistent weak layer is down 80-110cm. This interface is breaking down, 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
Flurries, mild temps, and strong/gusty winds.
Tonight Isolated flurries, trace amounts, Alp low -8°C, ridge wind SW 30 km/h gusting 50.
Wed Isolated flurries, trace snow, Alp High -8°C, ridge wind SW 35km/h, freezing level (FZL) 1000m.
Thurs Flurries,10 cm, Alp High -6°C, ridge wind S 35km/h gusting 60, FZL 1200m.
Fri Cloudy/flurries, 5-10cm, Alp High -6°C, ridge wind 30km/h gusting, FZL 1200m.
