Continued pulses of storm snow are loading on top of a widespread surface hoar layer. Time for conservative route selection.
Weather Forecast
Next in a series of Pacific storms will impact southern interior ranges later today bringing another estimated 10cm of snow. The warming trend is forecast to continue each subsequent storm bringing a higher freezing level through the start of the new week.
Snowpack Summary
Close to 35cm of storm snow have fallen in the past 48hrs accompanied by strong S winds and continued mild temperatures. The resulting soft slab sits over a widespread weak layer of well preserved surface hoar. On steep solar aspects the surface hoar formed on top of a sun crust. Other weak layers to keep in mind are the Nov 5 SH down 90-110cm.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous avalanches were observed throughout the highway corridor. These slides have been running far, well down the runout fans.
Confidence
Timing 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.
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.