Expect conditions to vary greatly with aspect, elevation and exposure to wind. Recent storm snow will get it's first kiss from the sun today. Be cautious on solar aspects if the solar radiation feels strong.
Weather Forecast
Expect another cold day today, with alpine temps around -16, however the winds should be light to moderate from the SW and we may see some sunshine. Wednesday will be similar with an alpine high of -12. Wednesday night a weather system will finally make it's way into the region bringing rising freezing levels, strong winds and up to 35mm by Friday.
Snowpack Summary
Strong N'ly winds, combined with ~30cm of low density snow has reverse loaded slopes and formed wind slabs on lee features. The storm snow overlies a variety of surfaces; sun crust on steep solar slopes, hard windslabs in the alpine and gully features, small surface hoar and facets. As the storm slab develops it is unlikely to bond well.
Avalanche Summary
Strong N'ly winds triggered several size 2-2.5 natural avalanches along the highway corridor. They were primarily from steep paths with lee start zones, and avalanches ran well onto the fans. Skiers/riders have reported triggering slabs up to 60cm deep, with some remote triggering from up to 50m away. Propagation has been minimal in the soft slab.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is 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.
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.