30cm of storm snow along with warming temperatures and moderate SW wind is leading to an increasing avalanche danger.
Weather Forecast
SW moderate winds and another 6cm of snow are forecast for today accompanied by freezing level edging up to 1700m. Freezing levels should drop to 1400m overnight and remain there through Wednesday. Moderate ridgeline winds from the SW are forecast to continue right through to Wednesday evening.
Snowpack Summary
Light SW wind and upwards of 30cm of snow covers surface hoar or suncrust at treeline & sheltered alpine locations. Expect soft storm slab formation to be widespread. A 20cm crust left over from late October sits on the ground and may be poorly bonded on some high elevation north aspects. Snow depth is 60cm at 1300m and 150cm at 2000m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity observed or reported yesterday, likely partly due to poor visibility.
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.