The early season snowpack was rapidly loaded by this storm. Natural avalanches, triggered by windloading, may run into avalanche fans. Minimizing exposure to the steep paths up Connaught by spreading out and taking the high line is recommended.
Weather Forecast
The snow will continue through Tuesday. Expect another 10cm in the next 24 hours, with moderate to strong SW winds transporting snow. Overnight on Tuesday temps will drop and the skies will clear. Wednesday looks sunny with alpine temps around -16.
Snowpack Summary
We've received about 70 cm of snow in the last 5 days. This snow has been transported by strong winds in the alpine forming windslabs on ridgecrests and loaded pockets of snow on lee slopes above treeline. A surface hoar layer buried on Nov 12, most prevalent around1900m, collapsed easily in tests and may become reactive as the slab above develops.
Avalanche Summary
Poor visibility during the storm made avalanche observations difficult. Several natural avalanches occurred from steep avalanche paths adjacent to the highway, running to the beginning of their fans. There have been no reports of avalanches from backcountry skiers; if you have any reports please pass this important info on to us!
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
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.
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.