Sluffing in steep terrain is the main hazard today. Pay attention to the sun if it comes out today.. and watch for warming on steep S-SW slopes this afternoon.
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure drives a cool NW flow for the next few days. Valley cloud is possible with strong solar inputs above. High diurnal temperature change is expected. Light snow is forecast Sunday and Monday.
Snowpack Summary
Cooler temperatures over the last 3 days have deposited a layer of light powder. Nov28 layer down 70 cm will be most reactive where it overlies a crust on steep S-SW slopes in the alpine or where surface hoar was buried; sheltered areas at treeline. The Nov 6 crust down ~150 cm is breaking down with mixed forms and facets present around Crs.
Avalanche Summary
No new avals were observed in the last two days along the highway corridor.Wednesday, a natural avalanche cycle occurred with, 1 size 3.5 and 2 size 2-2.5 avalanches observed from paths adjacent to the highway, east of Rogers Pass. Avalanche started in steep terrain east of the summit, with some depositing snow at the end of runnout.
Confidence
Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Problems
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.
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.
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.