Conditions are variable across the region.
Confidence
Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions
Weather Forecast
Thursday: Light N wind. Alpine temperature near -11. No precipitation.Friday: Light NW wind. Alpine temperature near -13. No precipitation.Saturday:Light W wind. Alpine temperature near -16. Light snow.
Avalanche Summary
A natural cycle of size 1-1.5 storm slabs was observed on Monday and Tuesday. Skiers also triggered small avalanches, failing on buried surface hoar or facets. I expect a more widespread avalanche cycle occurred on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
New snow has developed into slabs, with a weak bond to old snow surfaces including surface hoar (found at and below treeline) and facets. Variable amounts of snow (25-90 cm) have fallen across the region, meaning the avalanche danger is likely to be different from place to place. In heaviest-affected areas, there is the potential for deep and destructive storm snow avalanches. Strong winds have left widespread wind slabs in the lee of terrain breaks such as ridges and ribs. In areas sheltered from the wind, fast-moving sluff could throw you off your feet or carry you into a terrain trap. A strong mid-pack overlies a weak facet/crust layer near the base of the snowpack.
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.