Fresh storm snow is forming soft storm slabs at and above teeline. Recently formed windslab will now be hidden by storm snow.
Weather Forecast
20cm of storm snow in the last 24hrs at 1900m with another 10cm expected this morning. Ridge winds will be moderate gusting to strong from the west. Cloudy with clear periods this afternoon into Monday with moderate southwest winds at ridge line.
Snowpack Summary
20cm of storm snow with mod S winds forming soft slabs along lee of ridges. Storm snow landing on a facetted old snow surface making for a weak bond. Previous strong N'ly and recent mod S'ly winds have added to cornice growth. Old windslab can be expected in the alpine. On solar aspects, a crust is buried 40cm. PWL from Jan now buried 150-200cm
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche observations from the past 48 hours in the highway corridor. Field team was able to release loose dry 0.5 size avalanches off of steep unsupported convexities at treeline yesterday. The slides moved slowly and did not run far.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
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.