Storm slabs are still sensitive to human triggering, especially in immediate lee features. Stick to areas with little wind-effect to enjoy the bountiful powder.
Weather Forecast
Flurries today should bring 5-10cm, along with moderate SW winds and freezing levels rising to 1300m. Monday and Tuesday will bring scattered flurries, moderate SW winds, and cooler temp's (freezing level at 600m).
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, as well as large cornices along ridge-tops. Persistent weak layers from December are buried deep in the snowpack. An early season crust is decomposing at or near the ground.
Avalanche Summary
Natural activity has tapered from the storm cycle, with several sz 2-3 slabs observed yesterday from steep alpine start-zones on Tupper and the north side of Macdonald. Good visibility yesterday confirmed a widespread cycle in the backcountry, with highlights including sz 3's from Grizzly Gully and Frequent Flyer into the creek.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
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.