As storm snow starts to settle into a slab, a weak layer of surface hoar down 40 cm will become increasingly more reactive to human triggering. After such a long period of good travel in the mountains, now is the time to make conservative choices.
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure will linger over the area today, with an approaching warm front bringing the possibility of light precipitation later today, and some cloud. Sunny breaks could result in strong solar radiation on solar aspects. Watch for local warming on steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack Summary
Storm snow from two days ago has been transported by strong winds to create a soft slab in the alpine and treeline. This storm slab, which is 20-40 cm thick, overlies a layer of surface hoar, formed on Feb. 12. It is best preserved and most reactive, between 17-1900 m. It is very touchy on solar aspects where the surface hoar sits on a sun crust
Avalanche Summary
Yesterday, field teams remotely triggered size 2 avalanches from 100 meters away. They also reported shooting cracks and wide propagations, even in low angled terrain below treeline. Backcountry skiers also reported "touchy" conditions up Connaught Creek and MgGill Shoulder (a solar aspect). This layer is proving to be easily triggered by skiers
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.