The probability of triggering an avalanche is relatively low, the consequences of going for a ride in an avalanche remain.
Weather Forecast
Cloudy with isolated flurries, alpine highs of -11C and SW winds in the 20km/h range. Tonight through Saturday a Pacific storm is expected to bring us +/- 35cm of storm snow, rising freezing levels (1200m Saturday) and SW winds moderate gusting to strong. Watch for increasing avalanche danger.
Snowpack Summary
Over half of our snow pack can be attributed to recent December snowfalls. Pockets of wind slab are lingering in lee features and cross loaded slopes in the alpine and treeline. The Dec 9 and Nov 21 interfaces are down ~100-120cm and still producing Hard and Sudden test results. We have no persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity observed or reported in the last 24hrs.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Saturday
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.
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.