Alpine update
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 7:38 AM
For Wed Thu Fri
Alpine
Moderate
Treeline Below Threshhold
Below Threshhold
Below Threshhold
Below Treeline Below Threshhold
Below Threshhold
Below Threshhold
Avalanche Danger Rating Descriptions
Travel Advisory:
Treeline and below treeline elevations have little in the way of a snowpack, so avalanches are very unlikely to occur. In the alpine, glaciers and permanent snow slopes have more coverage, but other slopes still have widespread rock anchors visible. Some new snow has finally arrived in the alpine, but don't go too crazy yet as it is only barely disguising the underlying hazards.
Avalanche Activity:
Ski cutting on Sunday produced a few small soft slabs that were running a few cms above the melt freeze crust. Although these soft slabs have since settled and the shears have tightened-in, the new windslabs that developed throughout the day yesterday will likely still be reactive to ski testing on some lee slopes today.
Snowpack:
At 2200m on north facing glaciers there is up to 200 cm of snow. Several crusts have been observed within this snowpack, the most recent having formed after rain and freezing rain moistened the surface layers of snow on Friday and Saturday. The 20-25 cm of snow that has since fallen is now resting on this crust and appears to be bonding well to it. An easy shear was observed yesterday at the interface of a stiff windslab and the underlying softer layer of snow.In some areas you may still find layers of moist snow below the uppermost crust. Once the cold airmass arrives next weekend, the upper snowpack will begin to deteriorate rapidly, particularly in areas where the snowpack is still relatively shallow and rocky.
Weather:
The forecast is calling for mainly cloudy skies with a chance of Flurries today, and a mix of sun and cloud for tomorrow. Another system is forecast to arrive on Friday. Cold outflow conditions are expected to develop over the weekend.
For Wed Thu Fri
Alpine
Moderate
Treeline Below Threshhold
Below Threshhold
Below Threshhold
Below Treeline Below Threshhold
Below Threshhold
Below Threshhold
Avalanche Danger Rating Descriptions
Travel Advisory:
Treeline and below treeline elevations have little in the way of a snowpack, so avalanches are very unlikely to occur. In the alpine, glaciers and permanent snow slopes have more coverage, but other slopes still have widespread rock anchors visible. Some new snow has finally arrived in the alpine, but don't go too crazy yet as it is only barely disguising the underlying hazards.
Avalanche Activity:
Ski cutting on Sunday produced a few small soft slabs that were running a few cms above the melt freeze crust. Although these soft slabs have since settled and the shears have tightened-in, the new windslabs that developed throughout the day yesterday will likely still be reactive to ski testing on some lee slopes today.
Snowpack:
At 2200m on north facing glaciers there is up to 200 cm of snow. Several crusts have been observed within this snowpack, the most recent having formed after rain and freezing rain moistened the surface layers of snow on Friday and Saturday. The 20-25 cm of snow that has since fallen is now resting on this crust and appears to be bonding well to it. An easy shear was observed yesterday at the interface of a stiff windslab and the underlying softer layer of snow.In some areas you may still find layers of moist snow below the uppermost crust. Once the cold airmass arrives next weekend, the upper snowpack will begin to deteriorate rapidly, particularly in areas where the snowpack is still relatively shallow and rocky.
Weather:
The forecast is calling for mainly cloudy skies with a chance of Flurries today, and a mix of sun and cloud for tomorrow. Another system is forecast to arrive on Friday. Cold outflow conditions are expected to develop over the weekend.
