An intense storm system brings new snow and warm temps to Roger's Pass. This new snow will bond poorly to our weak snowpack.
Weather Forecast
Today expect cloud and flurries bringing 10cm of new snow. Temperature in the alpine should reach -5'C with Southwest winds to 20 km/hr. A series of Pacific storms will bring steady snowfall though Thursday, up to 40cms according to some models. Freezing levels will be on the rise aswell reaching 1600m on Wednesday before starting to cool on Friday
Snowpack Summary
15 cm of new snow has fallen in the last 24 hrs. Southerly winds to 45 km/hr have likely redistributed this snow at ridgetops. This new snow buries old wind slab in the Alpine and a surface hoar/facet combo at treeline and below. Due to the unusually cold winter overall, the snowpack is quite facetted and weak.
Avalanche Summary
In the previous week natural avalanche activity has been limited to steep, unskiable terrain. Expect this to change with the incoming storm.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system 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.
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.