Observations and cool temperatures are supporting a relatively stable snowpack but evaluate each slope as local variations exist.
Weather Forecast
Weather will be stable the next few days. Monday into Tuesday evening will be scattered flurries, minimal snow, light N and E winds, cool nighttime and daytime temperatures, and afternoon freezing level rising to 1100m. Wind direction will shift W Tuesday night with no significant weather change indicated other than a gradual temperature increase.
Snowpack Summary
Windslabs exist on the lee aspects of exposed ridgecrests above treeline with a dusting of snow overtop. Buried temperature crusts exist below 2100m and sun crusts on steep solar aspects at various elevations. Cornices are big and looming. Gusting 105km/hr N winds last night reverse loaded pockets with the limited snow available.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported. Several cornice failures occurred last week. A few triggered deep persistent slabs with crowns up to 1m and some initiated wind slabs with a depth of 10-40cm.
Confidence
Wind speed and direction is uncertain
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.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.