100cm of storm snow is settling into a slab that is sensitive to human triggering. The best snow will be found below treeline in areas sheltered from winds.
Weather Forecast
A mix of sun and cloud today as we enter a brief break from snowfall. South winds gusting to 35kmh, freezing level at 1200m and an alpine high of -2. Flurries return to Rogers Pass tomorrow with up to 10cm of accumulation. Modest snowfall amounts are expected next week as a low pressure system crawls through the region.
Snowpack Summary
100cm of recently fallen storm snow is settling into a slab. Strong south winds have created heavily loaded pockets and isolated wind slabs on north aspects. Persistent weak layers from December are buried deep in the snowpack. An early season crust is decomposing at or near the ground.
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle occurred with the arrival of strong south winds. Large avalanches were observed in the highway corridor and we received reports of natural avalanches in Connaught Creek. Grizzly peak and Frequent Flyer both ran to size 3.0 over the skin track into the creek. Audible avalanches here heard from Cheops North.
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.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.