Another series of storms is bringing more snow, and more wind. It will also add to the load over a persistent weak layer. Be conservative in your terrain selection.
Weather Forecast
Today will be mostly cloudy with flurries. Moderate to strong S'ly winds will transport snow, loading lees. Temps should range from -6 to -12 Overnight the next system will arrive, with 4cm overnight and up to 20cm by Saturday morning. Freezing levels are expected to remain below 1500m. Strong SW winds are expected to increase through the storm.
Snowpack Summary
In most areas, ~30cm of light snow overlies settled snow from last weeks storm. Tests indicate that as the new snow settles into a slab it may be triggerable. In some alpine areas wind slabs have developed on lee features after mod-strong S-SW winds. Jan 4th interface down 60-100cm and remains a concern in less traveled areas.
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanches were observed yesterday. On Tuesday, size 2.5 avalanches occurred from south aspects at ~2300m below Avalanche Peak as well as off of Mt Smart. Crisp crowns up ~1m deep with wide propagations indicate that they likely failed on the Jan 4th and were likely triggered by cornice fall or solar release from the cliffs above.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
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.
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.
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.