A widespread natural avalanche cycle is expected on Tuesday. Later in the forecast period, natural activity will taper off on cooler (high and shady) slopes, but conditions may be ripe for human triggering on many slopes.
Weather Forecast
A strong upslope moisture feed is causing heavy snowfall, easing Tuesday morning, then clearing. Strong NE winds develop at treeline and alpine elevations tonight . Around midday Tuesday, these ease to Moderate, then Light. Freezing Levels remain near valley floor until Wednesday, when above freezing temps at Treeline keep hazard elevated.
Snowpack Summary
40-55cm of new snow arrived today (Sunday), and will continue to fall through midday Tuesday. The rapid rate of loading, and strong NE winds forecast overnight will consolidate this snow into a widespread Storm Slab problem.
Avalanche Summary
Heavy snowfall and poor visibility prevented observations of any avalanche terrain today. New snow was stubborn to sluffing on steep road cuts; however small Storm Slabs were observed peeling off many steep surfaces at valley bottom, such as roofs. A nearby operation reported very touchy conditions, including large (Size 2) Loose Dry avalanches.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are 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.
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.
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.