Surprising amounts of new snow has fallen over the weekend. Conservative terrain choices should be exercised.
Weather Forecast
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, cool temperatures, alpine high of -16c and light winds for today. No precipitation in the forecast as the Arctic high pressure pushes south.
Snowpack Summary
Upwards of 80cm of storm snow over the past 3 days has fallen at 1900m, accompanied by moderate to strong winds forming a storm slab. This new layer is sitting over previous storm/wind slabs and will need time to heal. The Nov 13 Cr is buried 1m+, while this layer has been unreactive of late, it's possible that the new load could awaken this layer.
Avalanche Summary
Widespread natural avalanche cycle in the Connaught drainage to size 2. The slab depths were reported as approx 50cm in depth and were not stepping down to deeper layers. Some avalanches were stopping near valley bottom. Numerous size 2 to 3 avalanches in the HWY corridor off Mt Mcdonald and Tupper and Cougar.
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.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.