Careful snowpack evaluation and conservative decision-making is essential right now as the lingering deep instability will be with us for the foreseeable future.
Lawinenprobleme
Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Hochgebirge
Waldgrenze
Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
Wahrscheinlichkeit
Possible - Likely
Größe
2–3
Recent storm snow and strong winds in the alpine are forming new windslabs at upper elevations.
Loose Dry
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Hochgebirge
Waldgrenze
Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
Wahrscheinlichkeit
Possible - Likely
Größe
1–2
There is lots of new snow plastered to steep rock and ice terrain. With the expected warming trend (and solar effect) over the next week, expect this terrain to shed this snow.
Deep Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Hochgebirge
Waldgrenze
Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
Wahrscheinlichkeit
Possible
Größe
2–4
Storm snow and wind have overloaded the weak basal layers in several places and caused numerous large natural avalanches in the alpine. Cornice fall, smaller slides, and skiers in shallow areas all have the ability to trigger deeper instabilities.
Weather Forecast
A south westerly flow over the park with warming temperatures into Wednesday. Light amounts of precipitation and temperatures dropping to the mid teens overnight and single digits during the day. Stronger winds at ridge top elevations will stiffen the wind slabs and add to cornices.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30cm of low density storm snow overlies existing wind slabs which in places has a very weak faceted basal layer. Below tree line the snow pack has very little support except in isolated open areas where wind slabs may exist. New windslabs have formed at upper elevations but lots of snow is still available for transport.
Avalanche Summary
Road patrols in the South end of the forecast area observed numerous size 3 slabs that failed on the basal facets and widespread smaller avalanches to sz 2 on all aspects in the alpine involving windslabs and loose dry avalanches.