If winds and or temperatures rise, expect the danger level to bump up to HIGH at all elevations.
Weather Forecast
The next pulse of the storm is upon us. We are expecting 15-20cm today with moderate/strong westerly winds. Temperatures have slightly warmed to -5*C in the alpine. Skies should clear overnight, then another weak front will pass through on Friday, bringing a further 10-15cm of snow with strong west winds and rising temp's. Welcome back, winter!
Snowpack Summary
25-35cm of higher density snow sits over 25-30cm of very low density snow. This has created a slightly upside-down snowpack that is very touchy, considering it all sits on a "surface hoar/crust/facet" sandwich that is easily failing in snowpack tests. The mid-pack is well-settled with a fair amount of faceting from the recent cold snap.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural and artillery-triggered avalanches were observed yesterday from size 2 to 3.5 at all elevations and aspects. These slides were running fast and to the end of their run-out zones. Below tree-line, natural slabs were failing on the Feb 10 surface hoar/crust/facet sandwich and propagating up to 50m across.
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.
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.
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.