Snowfall amounts on Tuesday are uncertain but Windslab will continue to build regardless of storm totals.
Weather Forecast
Tonight: 2 cm of snow overnight. -20Tuesday: 10-15cm of snow throughout the day. Moderate SW winds with Strong to Extreme gusts.Wednesday: Mainly Cloudy with isolated flurries. Moderate West Winds. Alpine high -8.Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with Moderate SW wind,. Alpine high -6.
Snowpack Summary
10-20cm of facetting storm snow has added to the formation of Windlsab in the alpine and at ridge top. Windslab will continue to be a primary concern on Tuesday as the forecasted snow is accompanied by moderate - extreme winds. The Midpack is strong in deep snowpack areas but the facets at the base of the snowpack remain a concern in shallow areas.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday
Problems
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.
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.