Look for pockets of storm slab on lee features. Watch for an increasing avalanche danger on solar aspects if the sun comes out.
Weather Forecast
A mix of sun and cloud with light west winds, alpine high of -4C freezing levels rising to 1800m this afternoon. Freezing levels are expected to rise to 2000m by Tuesday with little overnight recovery.
Snowpack Summary
15cm of storm snow sit on top of a sun crust on solar aspects. 20-25cm of low density powder remains on shaded aspects. Wind slabs are above treeline in lee features. 60cm of recent storm snow is settling out and appears to be bonding well on polar aspects. On solar slopes, the storm slab sits on a persistent crust.
Avalanche Summary
Thursday strong solar input contributed to a widespread natural avalanche cycle on south facing slopes. Several large solar triggered avalanches occurred including Frequent Flyer. Friday there were five avalanches to size 3 recorded in the highway corridor. Yesterday no new natural avalanches were observed.
Confidence
Timing or intensity of solar radiation 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.