Tomorrow will bring mixed skies, little precip and mild temperatures. Wind speeds are expected to pick up during the day. Solar radiation may be high, and should be watched throughout the day. Good skiing in shady areas right now. MM
Weather Forecast
Tomorrow will have more cloud than today, however solar radiation may still be a concern. The thickness of this cloud varies with the forecast. Alpine winds will pick up throughout Sunday and shift to a more westerly flow. No precip is expected.
Avalanche Summary
Of note was a widespread avalanche cycle that was centered in the Bow Valley but crept into the Goat Range in the Spray as well. Avalanches ran in the storm slabs and some stepped down to deeper layers as well. The common denominator was the high solar yesterday and cornice failure. Wide propagations made for large avalanches, up to sz3. Winds are picking up overnight tonight and aggressively redistributing the storm snow into new storm slabs.
Snowpack Summary
No new snow today. High solar radiation has taken a toll on any solar aspect up to TL elevations. Temperature crusts are widespread on any solar aspect at TL & below. In the ALP, windslabs were more reactive, but are expected to tighten up as the warm temps fade.
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.
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.
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.