The recent snow continues to be reactive at all elevations. Pay attention to steeper slopes, glades and gullies at treeline and below. These locations are susceptible to human triggering and may catch you by surprise. Keep a conservative mindset.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
Tuesday Night: Cloudy with new snow 5-10 cm. Ridgetop winds light from the West and alpine temperatures near -7. Freezing levels at valley bottom.Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries. Ridgetop winds moderate from the northwest and alpine temperatures near -6. Freezing levels 1300 m. Thursday: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Ridgetop winds moderate from the West and freezing levels near 700 m. Friday: Mainly cloudy. Ridgetop winds light from the southwest and alpine temperatures near -6. Freezing levels rise to 1100 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, numerous natural and skier-triggered storm slab avalanches size 1 to 2 were reported. In the alpine wind slabs on N-NE aspects also remain reactive up to size 2. Most of these avalanches were running on the newly buried weak layer, especially between 1500 to 1800 m where surface hoar was most prevalent. Natural and human triggered avalanches will likely continue as the weak layer remains reactive.
Snowpack Summary
Another 5-10 cm of new snow brings a total of 20-35 cm above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crust. This slab may show enhanced reactivity between 1500 m-1800 m where the surface hoar is well preserved and on solar aspects at most elevations where there is a buried sun crust. Isolated pockets of reactive wind slab exist on leeward slopes in the alpine. The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.
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.