Cold temps have been the story of the past week. This last weekend we had storm totals of 30+cm followed by significant wind and cold temps. This new snow formed a slab in lee features that is sitting on a surface hoar layer that was buried on Feb 1st. 5-10cm below this is a freezing rain crust that is a significant bed surface.
When the temp drops to -20 like it has it tends to tighten up the snowpack in the first few days before it goes to work rotting out crystals around crusts and in the top 30cm of snow. This will be a significant weakness once it snows and builds a load on top of it. Avalanches are still reacting on this layer even in a Moderate Hazard. Remember that artificially triggered avalanches are possible in a Moderate Hazard and this surface hoar layer is proof of that.
Cold temps are forecast to continue and will be promoting more weakness in the snow pack as time progresses.Continue to use caution and play safe!
