Natural avalanche activity should taper today leaving slopes primed for human triggered avalanches. Avalanches have the potential to run full path.
Weather Forecast
Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries and accumulations to 5cm. Alpine temperature of -7C. Ridge winds SW 30km/h gusting to 65km/h. Temperatures should cool for Saturday with a trace of snow and continued moderate westerly winds.
Snowpack Summary
45cm+/- of storm snow at 1900m along with 10hrs moderate S'ly winds have formed touchy widespread storm slabs that, if triggered have the potential to run full path. Moderate SW winds should continue to transport storm snow throughout the day today. The storm snow will need time to settle and bond to old snow surfaces.
Avalanche Summary
Ongoing natural avalanche cycle that began yesterday and should continue into this morning. Avalanches to size 3 were reported in Cheops 4 path twice Thursday running to valley bottom. Frequent Flyer path ran across the normal Connaught Creek uptrack, and it will have reloaded overnight. Hwy avalanche control numerous slides to size 3.5.
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.