Give the new storm snow time to settle and strengthen before tackling big objectives.
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
Expect a mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries and generally light ridgetop winds throughout the forecast period. Daytime freezing levels should hover around 1400m.
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday there were several size 1 loose wet avalanches observed below treeline. No other new avalanches were reported, but this may speak to a lack of observers rather than actual conditions. New wind slab activity is expected at higher elevations in the wake of snow and wind on Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
Sunday' precipitation (up to 13mm over the 24 period) and strong southwest winds have likely formed dense wind slabs at higher elevations. At the time of publishing this bulletin the exact rain line on Sunday was uncertain; however, most surfaces below treeline were likely saturated by rain. About 30-40cm below the surface you may find a crust and spotty surface hoar that was buried on February 27th, although it is unknown how this interface survived the rain. Below this, the snowpack is thought to be strong and well-settled. Cornices are reported to be huge and weak.
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.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.
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.