The storm may be tapering off, but touchy conditions may persist with higher freezing levels and the possibility of sun over the forecast period.
Confidence
Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain on Monday
Weather Forecast
Monday: Light snowfall / Moderate westerly winds / Freezing level at 1500mTuesday: Generally overcast skies with possible sunny breaks / Moderate northwest winds / Freezing level at about 1500mWednesday: Light snowfall with a chance of sunny breaks / Moderate westerly winds / Freezing level between 1500m and 2000m
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche observations were extremely limited on Saturday; however, I can only imagine there would have been a significant round of storm slab/ loose wet activity in response to heavy snowfall, wind and rain on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
A potent storm slab which formed in recent days overlies small surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas and a sun crust on previously sun-exposed slopes. Wind and warming have added to the reactivity and destructive potential of the new snow which may be particularly reactive where it overlies the crust. Rain at lower elevations has likely saturated the snowpack. There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies over a metre below the surface, and includes weak surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering is unlikely.
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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.