Monitor Sunday's storm for snow amounts increasing the hazard through the day. Plan your travels accordingly.
Weather Forecast
20-40cm of storm snow will arrive Sunday afternoon into Monday morning with strong SW winds and -6 to -11. The storm will clear Monday followed by another 20cm storm on Tuesday night.
Snowpack Summary
Strong SW winds is affecting exposed slopes and ridge tops in the alpine the last 24 hours creating windslabs. Generally a strong, and supportive early winter snowpack exists with depths ranging from 30 to 100+ cm depending on aspect and exposure to wind. The snowpack will change with incoming storm Sunday.
Avalanche Summary
No new natural activity reported from a field team on Saturday. Climbers should still remain vigilant as even triggering a small avalanche in a gully feature or above cliffs can have severe consequences. Expect increased likelihood of avalanches with incoming storm on Sunday.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday
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.