The warmth continues, and with it, the high danger. Let the snowpack adjust to the new load before sticking your neck out.
Weather Forecast
Freezing levels will remain around 1500m today. 10-15cm of snow will fall in the area, with moderate to strong SW winds at ridge-top. A weak ridge will bring a brief respite tonight, lowering freezing levels below 1000m. Flurries with minor accumulations are expected tomorrow.
Snowpack Summary
Storm snow has created a 20-30cm surface slab. The widespread Dec 2 surface hoar layer is down 40-70cm and is reactive to human loading. Recent snowpack tests showed the early November surface hoar layers reactive to heavy loads, popping off the columns in a sudden planar manner. This suggests avalanches could step down to deeper layers.
Avalanche Summary
Artillery avalanche control yesterday produced numerous avalanches up to size 4. Numerous natural avalanches up to size 3 were observed in the highway corridor before avalanche control commenced, earlier in the day. We suspect there were numerous natural avalanches in the backcountry yesterday, continuing today with the warm temperatures.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system 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.
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.