Winter has returned! Recently buried surface hoar and crusts in the upper snowpack. Watch for reactive wind effected snow up high and sluffing in steep terrain on northerly aspects. Solar radiation will have a strong effect if it comes through.
Weather Forecast
Partial clearing later today as a weak ridge of high pressure builds over the Interior. Snowfall tapering off this morning to light flurries with alpine winds still expected to remain in the moderate to strong from the west. Freezing levels will rise to ~1300m. Light snow is expected tonight into tomorrow morning.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 40cm of new recent storm snow. The storm layer sits atop a crust on solar aspects and surface hoar on sheltered N aspects. The upper 40-50cm of the snowpack is dry with moist snow below it. Multiple crusts in the top 1.5m of the snowpack over well settled snow.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed yesterday.
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.