Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach run out zones.
Weather Forecast
Flurries are forecast for today with moderate westerly ridge top winds and max air temp= -5. A frontal system will restart the snow this evening into Friday, we expect moderate amounts of snow up to 15 cm. Temperature will remain seasonal. Saturday, drier conditions return.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 30 cm of new snow has covered a variety of surfaces including, small surface hoar and sun crust on steep south through west slopes. This also covers widespread wind effect in open areas at treeline and in the alpine.Jan 4th SH/CR down 65-95 cm reacting in stab tests (moderate to hard range) in isolated location most recently at TL, SE asp.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed in the park yesterday, visibility was poor.� We expect small, loose natural avalanche where happening Wednesday evening through the overnight period due to new snow and moderate winds in the alpine.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is 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.
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.