Conservative terrain choices are essential until the snowpack has had time to adjust and the new snow has settled and bonded.
Avalanches initiating within the storm snow may step down to the Feb 3rd melt freeze crust, if they do the crust will promote wider propagation and produce much larger and more destructive avalanches running fast and far on the crust.
50cm of new snow has formed a reactive storm slab, this was accompanied by strong winds so expect deeper and more reactive slabs on wind loaded terrain features.
A natural avalanche cycle up to size 3.5 occurred over the weekend with avalanches running full path far into run outs. At the time of writing avalanche control planned for Sunday afternoon is expected to produce numerous large avalanches along the hwy corridor.
Regionally several human triggered avalanches have been reported failing on the Feb 3rd crust. This widespread layer promotes wide propagation and gives an excellent sliding surface for avalanches to run on.
50cm of new snow has fallen and been redistributed by strong southerly winds. Below this, the upper snowpack consists of well settled snow, thin sun crusts on steep solar aspects, and the faceted drought layer over the Feb 3rd crust (which is widespread below 2500m).
The mid to lower snowpack is well settled, except in isolated areas of the alpine where an unusually thin & faceted snowpack exists.
A break between storms will give calmer conditions. Precip and winds will ease off and temps will drop with close to valley bottom freezing levels (FZL) before the next major weather maker arrives on Wednesday.
Tonight: Flurries up to 7cm, strong W winds, low -14°C, FZL at valley bottom
Mon: Flurries, trace new snow, light W winds, low -17°C, FZL 500m
Tues: Sun & cloud, moderate SW winds, low -20°C, FZL at valley bottom
