Last night's storm brought heavy snow and strong winds. Use caution transitioning to wind effected terrain. Take the time to see how the new storm slab is bonding to the surface beneath.
Weather Forecast
Today we'll see a break in the stormy weather after the frontal system passing overnight dumped 20cms with strong to extreme winds. Winds today will be SW 20 kph, gusting 80 with freezing level up to 1700m. The next storm arrives tonight with 10cm forecast and another 20 on the ground by Tuesday
Snowpack Summary
25cm of new snow fell in the last 48 hours with strong to extreme winds. This sits on a supportive crust between 1500-2000m. Below 1500m the crust becomes thin & unsupportive. At higher elevations there is approximately 30-50cm dry snow with isolated wind slabs. The Mar 15 crust complex down 70-90cm on solar aspects.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity has tapered off over the last few days however with the rapid loading and strong winds overnight expect a natural cycle today.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is 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.