A slab has formed over a weak layer in the upper snowpack. You can easily identify and assess this problem by digging down and watching for signs like cracking, whumphing, and recent avalanches.
Use the bulletin as a trip planning tool, then adjust your day based on field observations.
Storm slabs have formed and are sitting over hard surfaces and/or surface hoar in many places. This problem will most likely become a Persistent Slab Problem within a few days as we watch it develop. This is a developing problem that could catch users off guard, especially in areas with wind effect.
No new avalanches reported on Monday, but...
The MIN lit up late Saturday evening as people returned from their trips and reported multiple avalanche involvements up to size 2, all running 10-25 cm deep on the surface hoar/crust layer.
Mt Field, Boom Lake, Mt Whymper and the Tophat areas all saw action.
10 - 20 cm of snow from last week now overlies the January 24 surface hoar weak layer. In places, this surface hoar has formed on a crust, providing a very planar surface for failure. As new snow, wind, and warm temperatures continue to build an overlying slab, this weak layer is becoming increasingly problematic. As a result, this weak layer poses a growing avalanche concern.
A mix of sun and clouds is expected Tuesday and Wednesday, with only a trace of precipitation expected. Temperatures will remain seasonably warm, with freezing levels around 2000 m. Ridgetop wind speeds are expected to remain elevated over the next few days. Later in the week, a ridge of high pressure will build in, bringing clearer skies.
