Weather Forecast
Monday: A mostly sunny day, with moderate northerly winds and temperatures reaching -5. Tuesday & Wednesday: Expect clouds to build, with light snow developing late Tuesday and tapering into Wednesday afternoon. Winds should turn southerly but remain light with temperatures reaching -5 in the afternoons.
Avalanche Summary
We have reports of explosive and natural avalanches up to size 2.5, with the largest avalanches releasing on exposed north facing terrain. Rider triggered avalanches linger in the 1.0-1.5 size range.
Snowpack Summary
Another 15cm of new snow brings the total settled storm snow to around 60cm. This storm was initially accompanied by moderate to locally strong south and west winds, yielding intense slab production on North through East facing terrain at treeline and in the alpine. Windslab releases on north facing terrain have been as deep as 100cm. At the tail end of the storm, winds turned northerly, loading exposed south facing terrain. The new snow overlies a variety of wind modified surfaces, crusts at lower elevations and small islands of surface hoar in sheltered areas. Easy shears persist in the new storm snow (decomposing fragments down 25cm) while the deeper interface (down 60cm) is beginning to show signs of improved bonding. Below this, the mid and lower snowpack is well bonded and strong.
Problems
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.
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.