Evaluate the storm slab as you move through terrain today. Conditions will vary based on aspect and elevation.
Weather Forecast
Cloudy today with isolated flurries, alpine high of -4, SW winds gusting to strong and freezing levels below 1500m. A the next front in a series of approaching systems is set to arrive later this evening, bringing 12cm of snow overnight. Monday returns to clouds and isolated flurries before another pulse arrives Monday night, with another 10-15cm.
Snowpack Summary
20cm of snow overnight brings the storm total to approximately 50cm since Feb 10. Strong southerly winds persisted over the last several days, loading lee areas and creating a reactive slab. On solar aspects this slab sits on a crust. Wind slabs on most aspects in the alpine and tree-line and may be concealed by new snow. Moist snow below 1700m.
Avalanche Summary
We received a report of a skier accidental slab avalanche size 1.5 on the lower slopes of Mt Cheops in the Connaught valley, N aspect, 1780m, 40cm deep. This area is typically affected by outflow winds. This slide likely failed on the Feb 10 storm interface. 5 size 2.5 wind slab avalanches were observed on the N face of Mt MacDonald.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Problems
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.
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.