High freezing levels and heavy precipitation are forecast for today. Rain at treeline and below will destabilize the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
A significant storm today will bring up to 25 cm of snow and freezing level rising above 2000 meters. Winds are expected to be from the South at 40 k/hr. High freezing levels translates to heavy rainfall again below treeline. The stormy weather pattern will continue through the week and freezing levels are forecast to drop and stay around 1000m
Snowpack Summary
25cm of dry snow is beginning to bond to a breakable crust. Below the November 23 crust sits a weak rain-saturated snowpack. If you take your skis off, you'll likely be standing in a hole up to your waste. Strong winds during the last storm created isolated pockets of wind slab in the alpine on northerly features. October 31 crust is down 100cm.
Avalanche Summary
Three natural size 2.5's were observed from high Alpine start zones yesterday along the highway, likely triggered by recent snowfall and windloading at ridgetop. Avalanches, once initiated, are able to run far on the Nov 23rd crust.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain
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.
Wet Slabs
Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.