Confidence
Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Tuesday
Weather Forecast
Monday: Light SW winds. Alpine temperatures around -8. No precipitation.Tuesday: Light to moderate SE winds. Alpine temperature around -7. Light snow late in the day.Wednesday: Light SW winds. Alpine temperature around -8. Light snow.
Avalanche Summary
Small wind slabs and fast running loose dry avalanches were observed on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
New wind slabs overlie a generally well–settled snowpack. Surface hoar layers in the upper/mid snowpack appear to have gained strength and are now less of a concern. Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer appears to be inactive. Although unlikely, triggering an avalanche on this layer may be possible from thin snowpack areas or with a very heavy trigger.
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.
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.