New snow and wind forecasted overnight so we expect to see avalanche danger begin to increase. Good travel in the Highwood area but still pretty rugged along the Spray. LOTS of early season hazards are still out there waiting to ruin your season...
Confidence
Good - Track of incoming weather is uncertain on Monday
Weather Forecast
Winds are expected to increase as temperatures slowly rise. We may see 10-15cm of new snow above 2200m over the next 24hrs and a second pulse of more snow on Monday night.
Avalanche Summary
Only a few small loose dry avalanches were observed. Forecasters also did see a sz two cornice collapse on Mt Tyrwitt around 12:00.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 15cm recent HST at 2300m (Highwood pass). HS was on average 50-70cm. Very little wind affect. No sheers were noted and the 1027 Melt freeze crust was found 20cm off the ground. Coverage was very variable and numerous rocks and hazards are still evident.
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.