Our Storm Slab problem will continue to build into the weekend. Pay attention to snowfall amounts with potential upslope influence in our area.
Weather Forecast
Tonight: 4-8cm. Light SW Wind. Alpine low -12Friday: Flurries. 5-10cm with moderate SW winds. Alpine high - 8Saturday: Cloudy with Scattered Flurries. 5-10cm. Moderate SW wind. Alpine high -9Sunday: Cloudy with Sunny Periods. Trace precipitation. Alpine high -18
Snowpack Summary
30-45cm of snow in the past 48h with moderate SW winds have created reactive soft slabs. These new storm slabs sit over a variety of wind affected surfaces including pockets of Windslab near ridgetop. The Midpack is strong in deep snowpack areas but this increase in loading will stress the weak, facetted basal snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
Size 2 Natural on Mt.Rowe Wed Feb. 13th.Size 1.5 Natural South end of Forum Ridge Wed Feb 13th.Multiple Loose Dry Avalanches observed in steep terrain
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday
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.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.