Winter conditions have returned to Rogers Pass. Minimize overhead exposure and give new snow time to stabilize.
Weather Forecast
A series of fronts continue to pass through the area bringing flurries and colder temps. For today, mainly cloudy with scattered flurries accumulating to 5cm and freezing levels at 1500m. Moderate westerly winds with gust to 65km/hr on ridge tops.
Snowpack Summary
20cm of new snow fell overnight with moderate SW winds. The storm layer sits atop a crust on solar aspects and surface hoar on sheltered N aspects. Watch for deeper pockets and wind slab/ cornice development on NE lee features. There are multiple crusts in the top 1m of the snowpack that are reactive to tests but would likely need a large trigger.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed yesterday. Natural avalanches are expected today with last night's snowfall returning the area to winter conditions.
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.