The steady flow of precipitation has given us lots of new snow. Within this new snow, windslabs and their reactivity are a concern at the moment. Be prepared to look for and assess these slabs as you travel.
Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Thursday
Weather Forecast
20cm of new snow due to arrive overnight with temperatures steady. Winds light from the SW throughout.
Avalanche Summary
Small natural cycle noted today. Sizes ranged from 1-2 and were at treeline and above. Nov crust suspected as failure plane in some cases.
Snowpack Summary
New snow unsettled and available for transport. Windslabs from the last event are now down 20 to 30cm. Nov crust down 40-60 and reacting to new load in specific areas.
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.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.