Incoming new snow and wind will continue to build windslabs.
Keep the persistent slab problem on your mind at treeline and below - be especially cautious if you are exploring areas that don't see regular traffic.
Moderate southerly winds have loaded lee features near ridgetop. Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain. Wind slabs will be most reactive in areas where they sit over a crust.
A layer of surface hoar (up to 40mm at tree line & below) is buried 30-60cm deep and sits on a crust.
Use caution in terrain that has not seen recent rider traffic and areas that are more off the beaten path - this is where triggering is most likely.
On Friday, a field team remotely triggered a size 1.5 avalanche on the Jan 26th surface hoar layer, in infrequently travelled terrain below the Avalanche Glacier (Beaver valley), and also experienced multiple whumpfs. Another field team in Avalanche basin also experienced multiple whumpfs in open terrain at 1800m.
There were MIN reports on Wednesday of triggering the persistent week layer in the Ross Pillows, as well as thin slabs on the Asulkan glacier.
Another 5 cm of new snow will bring recent snowfall totals to 25-40cm. Gusty alpine winds continue to build fresh windslabs in exposed terrain.
There are several crusts in the upper snowpack from the springlike temps and sunshine we've had in the past 2 weeks.
The Jan 26th layer of surface hoar, facets, and a crust, is buried down 35-65cm. The largest surface hoar is preserved in sheltered areas below treeline.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled/strong.
A trough off the coast pushes unsettled weather inland, giving mostly cloudy skies and snow flurries.
Tonight: Flurries (~5cm). Alpine low -7°C. Moderate Southwest ridgetop winds.
Sat: Isolated flurries/sunny periods. High -6 °C. Freezing level (FZL) valley bottom. Gusty moderate SW wind.
Sun: Sunny periods. Low -12 °C, High -10 °C. Light SW wind.
Mon: Sunny periods. Low -10 °C, High -6 °C. Light SW wind.
