Regions
Northwest Coastal.
Weather Forecast
The storm will continue to bring heavy precipitation and strong to very strong southwest winds for the forecast period. High freezing levels from Tuesday are expected to drop back to valley bottoms by Wednesday morning.
Avalanche Summary
A couple of natural size 2.0 avalanches were reported on steep NE and SE aspects at and below treeline. Explosive control produced a low elevation avalanche size 2.0 on a south aspect, and a size 3.0 avalanche at 1250 metres on a south aspect. We are not sure what depth or sliding surface the size 3.0 released.
Snowpack Summary
Heavy snowfall and strong southwest winds are building new windslabs and storm slabs above the recent storm snow that has consolidated into a slab. The old windslabs are on south through west aspects, and they are stiff and continue to be easily triggered. New windslabs are building on north through east aspects, making travel a bit tricky; limited options exist for avoiding both types of windslab. The deep snowpack is considered to be well settled with no persistent layers of concern.
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.