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  Storm Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Very Likely

  Größe

  2

  Heavy dense new snow is falling onto a weak layer of faceted old snow. Expect to see loose new snow avalanches at all aspects and elevations and shallow soft slab avalanches in higher elevation terrain. Any slope over 30° is suspect. Stay off of and out from underneath slopes greater than 30° particularly during periods of increased snowfall rates. With rising temperatures this afternoon, these new snow avalanches could be either wet or dry. Any rain on snow, particularly rain on buried facets is suspect and if it does turn to rain then avoid traveling on or under any steep terrain.

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  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Likely

  Größe

  2

  Strong winds have drifted the new snow into wind drifts that now sit on top of an old weak sugary faceted snow surface. These drifts will not bond well to the old snow surface. Look for and avoid pillowy, rounded new wind drifts. Shooting cracks, cornices, and collapsing are all signs of wind-drifted snow and these are areas to avoid. With increasing wind speeds throughout the day drifts may appear lower on the slope and further down ridgelines.

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  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  3

  There are currently two buried weak layers in our snowpack. One is a layer of buried near-surface facets that formed during last week's cold clear weather. This layer will not bond well to the newest snow and expect to see sloughing and loose dry avalanches on this layer. The second layer is buried near the ground. This layer was formed in December and was responsible for many large avalanches during the Holiday Avalanche Cycle. This layer will be more likely to be triggered as the storm continues and we could see avalanches 1'-3' deep. The most likely places to trigger an avalanche on this layer of buried facets are steep slopes that have a thinner snowpack, rocky gully features, and areas that previously avalanched. The UAC forecasters went to look at an avalanche that was a wind-drifted snow avalanche that failed on facets near the ground and was likely a repeater last week. Read their observation HERE.

  Read more about persistent weak layer avalanches HERE.