As this past week's storm snow continues to settle it will still be important to evaluate the bond between the old snow surface and the new snow. There is still potential for a week sliding layer in isolated sheltered areas.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
Thursday: Mainly cloudy / Moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -6Friday: Flurries, accumulation 5-10cm / Light east wind / Alpine temperature -5Saturday: Flurries, accumulation 5-10cm/ Light east wind / Alpine temperature -8
Avalanche Summary
Recent reports indicate a few avalanches triggered from explosives control running wind slabs on the storm/old snow interface to size 2 at tree line and above.
Snowpack Summary
20-40 cm of new snow has buried previously formed windslabs, facets and surface hoar. There is a bit of uncertainty regarding how the new snow is bonding to old surfaces which formed during last week's cold clear period. Moderate to strong winds have loaded leeward features with new touchy wind slabs. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show variable results with this persistent weakness. Some show results as hard and resistant and other show it may have the propensity to propagate large avalanches if triggered from thin rocky areas.
mbender,
Avalanche Canada
