Incremental loading- it adds up!
With over 60cm of unconsolidated snow over the past week, expect loose avalanches in steep terrain and some sneaky slabs in wind exposed areas.
Steady snowfall this past week has formed soft slabs where affected by the wind. This avalanche problem will be most reactive in the alpine and exposed areas at tree line.
With all the new snow expect to find heavy sluffing in steep, wind-sheltered terrain. Be mindful of what your sluff is doing around you, especially above terrain traps or areas you don't want to be pushed through.
The sun poked out today and triggered a loose dry cycle up to size 2 from steep, south-facing features. Falling tree bombs were also prolific!
Reports continue to trickle in of wind effect, shooting cracks, and isolated avalanches in steep open terrain at upper elevations.
There was a size 2 skier triggered wind slab below the Asulkan hut on Thursday afternoon. The slab was 30-50cms deep and 40m wide.
Incremental loading each day this past week has accumulated to over 60cm of new snow. This new snow fell with moderate SW winds at times, which built soft slabs in wind prone areas
Overall, the snowpack is strong with a well consolidated mid-pack. A notable layer is down 90-120cm. This interface has been dormant for weeks, 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 rain crusts
Low pressure to our south and building high pressure to the north will mean mainly cloudy skies and cooling temps for our region over the next few days
Tonight Mainly cloudy. No precip. Alpine Low -8°C, freezing level (FZL) lowering to valley bottom. Light NE ridgetop wind
Mon Mainly cloudy, trace of snow. Alpine High -7 °C, FZL 1100m. Light NW wind
Tues Mainly cloudy, trace snow. Alpine High -10 °C FZL 800m. Light W wind
