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A few days of upcoming fine weather will be a great time to get out and enjoy the fresh snow. But don't let the 'froth' distract you from making good decisions in the backcountry. Windslabs can be expected on the west half. Deep slabs, although less predictable and harder to trigger, would be big, bad and ugly if they popped. Storm slabs and loose dry 'sluffs' could also be an issue (see Additional Hazards section).
Two size 2 wind slab avalanches (one a large 2 - possibly 3) at S face of Constitution (Dragon) peak (peak to the NE of Kudebi). SW aspect, 3100 metres. The biggest one looks like it took away all the snow to ground - suggesting possible involvement of an older weak layer.
A large possibly wind-triggered avalanche was spotted on the E side of Sadzele on Saturday morning, but details are scarce. It may have started as a wind slab, then stepped down to the weak base layer. As is often the case, bad weather and snowfall moved in, and the evidence is being hidden by a new layer.
Recent storms have brought around 250 cm of snowfall since January 1st, with the most recent storm bringing 50cm+ Winds have pushed this in various directions, and it has settled quickly in lower elevations. Areas of high-denstity wind-packed snow can be found in the snow pack, as well as a lower-density layer that formed at the surface after the first big storm. Thin early-season (November, December) snow has formed a sugary, weak base at ground, around 15 - 30cm thick. This layer is unpredictable since the early snow cover was inconsistent - but it's more likely to cause problems in the high alpine zone on W, N and E slopes. Shooting cracks, whumpfing and rider-triggered avalanches have been reported due to this layer.
A high pressure zone takes control in the region for the next few days. Light and variable winds are expected, mostly from the N / NW. Freezing level rising from 350m and Tuesday morning to 950m, 800m on Wednesday.
Lingering areas of storm slab (an unstable layer of new snow), and Loose dry 'sluff' avalanches could be found in steep areas that were not wind-affected. Even a small surface slide could trigger the scary deep layer. Very cold temperatures - especially at upper elevations. Rocks are still lurking under the new snow layers - launch with caution and check your landing first!