Freezing levels are forecast to drop over the next few days allowing the snowpack to recover some strength. When the sun does come out right now stability rapidly decreases so start early, watch your thermomotor, and keep and eye on the aspect.
Confidence
Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain
Weather Forecast
Temperatures are beginning to cool down this weekend as a high pressure ridge begins to push into the forecast region. Freezing levels will drop overngiht allowing for a good recovery in snowpack strength. No new precipitation is expected and skies are likely going to be broken with some sun poking through now and then. As freezing levels and temperatures rise throughout the day, stability will decrease.
Avalanche Summary
Sz 2 observed on the treed ridge east of Black Prince facing the Smith Dorrien HWY. Avalanche was likely triggerred by the rain, failing on ground taking out mature timber. Also, a sz 3 avalanche was observed on the S aspect of Heros Knob running full path, crossing the valley floor and taking out timber on the opposite side. Numerous loose wet slides were also observed on all aspects.
Snowpack Summary
Snowpack going isothermal in many areas below treeline. Some isolated flurries above 3000m over the past 48hrs but very little accumulation. With a minimal freeze over the past few days the thin crusts that did exist are breaking down earlier and earlier each day.
Problems
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.