Incoming new snow will continue to build windslabs, as well as increase the size of loose snow avalanches.
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.
20-30 cm of low density storm snow is reactive to human triggering in steep terrain. A firm crust below this light snow makes an excellent surface for these avalanches to run on.
A limited round of avalanche control Thursday produced loose snow avalanches up to size 2.5 in steep rocky terrain.
A few natural loose snow avalanches, size 1 to 1.5, have been observed in the highway corridor recently.
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.
Field teams Tuesday were triggering loose snow avalanches in steep terrain, failing on a recently buried crust.
20-30cm of low density snow fell recently, and has formed windslabs on lee features at ridge top.
There are several crusts in the upper snowpack, from solar warming and above freezing temps in the past 2 weeks.
30-60cm beneath the surface is the Jan 26th drought layer which consists of surface hoar, facets, and a crust. This layer is widespread with the largest surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and below.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled/strong.
A weak Aleutian low pushes the high pressure out, giving cloudy skies and light flurries.
Tonight: Cloudy. Alpine low -7°C. Ridgetop Wind Light Southwest.
Fri: Flurries (5 cm). Alpine High -7°C. Freezing level (FZL) valley bottom. Ridgetop winds Light gusting strong SW.
Sat: Flurries (10-15cm). Low -9 °C, High -7 °C. Gusty moderate SW wind.
Sun: Sunny periods. Low -11 °C, High -9 °C. Light SW wind.
