The storm snow appears to be bonding well and stability is improving, but wind slabs may still be triggered by light loads in specific terrain features.
Weather Forecast
Partly cloudy with isolated light flurries for the next couple of days. Predominantly light SW winds and temps in the -5 to -10 range. Potential for 5-10cm on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
Between 50 and 70cm of new snow since Nov 19 in the CIA. This new snow appears to be bonding well and has been subjected to relatively light winds (at TL), mainly SW. Lots of snow available for transport. May be approaching critical load on Nov crusts.
Avalanche Summary
Several Na and Xe yesterday at Marmot Basin in the 2-2.5 range, NE aspects above 2400m. Isolated Na activity in the CIA, cross loaded features at TL. No activity on the Nov crusts, all observed avalanches were in the top 50cm and involved WSL.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
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.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.