Additional overnight snow load with wind has continued to build a more cohesive slab over weak layers.
Weather Forecast
Westerly flow will produce light to moderate precipitation today ahead of a low pressure system developing over the Pacific. This system is forecast to arrive to the interior region Tuesday night bringing moderate to heavy amounts.
Snowpack Summary
30cm of new snow over a facetted interface. This storm snow sits on a sun crust on steep south and west aspects. The Dec 25 surface hoar layer is down 40cm and the Jan 4 surface hoar layer is down around 25cm. These layers are more prominent between 1500 and 2000m. Well settled mid pack. Nov 6 crust is down 130 - 150cm.
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle yesterday producing several avalanches to size 2.5 and two to size 3.0 throughout the highway corridor."Frequent Flyer" in the Connaught drainage had also run yesterday, size 2.0 , just reaching the up track.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is 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.
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.