Continued stormy weather has resulted in elevated avalanche danger. Alpine and tree line areas above the snow line have developed deep storm slabs.
Confidence
Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY: Snow, accumulation 30-40cm Tuesday night through Wednesday / Moderate south wind / Alpine temperature 0 / Freezing level 1300 m THURSDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / Light east wind / Alpine temperature 2 / Freezing level 1400mFRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries / Light to moderate south wind / Alpine temperature 3 / Freezing level 1500m
Avalanche Summary
Loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported from the Hollyburn area on Monday. On Wednesday expect reactive storm and wind slab avalanches in the alpine and tree line elevation bands where the recent precipitation has fallen as snow. Below tree line expect small loose snow avalanches where rain has soaked the snowpack.
Snowpack Summary
Additional new snow is expected at alpine elevations tonight and tomorrow. The freezing level is uncertain on Wednesday. Expect to see a mix of rain and snow at tree line and snow in the alpine. This new snow at upper elevations has been redistributed by moderate to strong southwest wind and is sitting on a well settled lower snowpack. Rain below tree line will continue to soak an already moist and/or wet lower snowpack.
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.
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.