With some new snowfall expected by Wednesday PM we may see a spike in danger rating at treeline by Thursday depending upon just how much new snow combined with winds the area experiences. Be cautious traveling below slopes with overhead hazard.
Confidence
Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday
Weather Forecast
Light snowfall expected by midday Wednesday with temps beginning a slow climb - Precip amounts may top out at 10-12cm. Lower elevation terrain may see temps rise slightly above the freezing level.
Avalanche Summary
A couple of notable cornice failures on Tuesday producing slab avalanches on terrain below Size 2-3. The Size 3 in particular stepped down into some older windslabs but not to ground.
Snowpack Summary
Softslabs are forming in open alpine terrain due to light to moderate SW winds. The colder temps have resulted in some tightening up of the snowpack but winds are building cornices which have been large triggers for underlying slopes.
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.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.
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.