A widespread avalanche cycle is occurring. New slabs are very easy to trigger. There remains some potential for deep layers to be triggered that would result in large avalanches. With more snow forecast travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Weather Forecast
A series of three systems is expected over the next three or four days with additional snowfall amounts of 15cm forecast with each. The associated Moderate to Strong West winds and mild temperatures will contribute to rapid slab formation.
Snowpack Summary
15cm of new snow arriving with moderate West winds and warm temperatures has quickly formed slabs over 20 to 30 cm of weak, faceted snow which is bonding poorly to a firm layer beneath. With this change, the Basal Facets remain a concern in shallow areas where the overlying slab of hard snow providing all of the strength to our snow pack is thin
Avalanche Summary
A widespread natural cycle is now occurring with soft slabs to size 2 in the Alpine and on open slopes at Treeline. Skier triggering of slabs is likely right now at all elevations with remote triggering encountered on steep slopes below treeline. With the additional snow and wind in the forecast the size of these events is likely to increase.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems 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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.