Lee and cross-loaded gullies are the terrain types of concern right now. Ice climbers should be cautious in this type of terrain, especially where even a small avalanche could have serious consequences (cliffs, gullies and other terrain traps).
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
Temperatures are expected to be mild for the next few days. On Wednesday Alpine winds could reach up to 100km/h out of the West by the afternoon. Unfortunately there is no snow in the forecast for the foreseeable future.
Avalanche Summary
A couple of small loose dry avalanches were noted today in the Alpine, but otherwise there has been very little avalanche activity in the past few days.
Snowpack Summary
Surface hoar was observed in valley bottom today. In alpine areas surface wind slabs are evident in lee features and cross loaded gullies. There are two buried crusts in the snowpack to be aware of and curious about. The Oct 26th crust 10cm off the ground and the Nov 4th crust 40-50cm off the ground. These crusts are being found on all aspects, but due to limited field observations so far this season we are still unsure how high into the Alpine these crusts extend.
Problems
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.
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.