Significant snowfall overnight sits over a weak layer 'sandwich'. Avalanches will be triggered and run easily over these layers. Manage your exposure to overhead hazard. This trend will continue for the next few days.
Weather Forecast
We are at a lull between storms for today, light snow is expected until tonight when a more significant system arrives. The approaching storm system has more of a southwest component bringing warmer air, strong southwest winds and rising freezing levels. Precipitation will be moderate to heavy amounts beginning late tonight into Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
35cm of low density snow sits over a variety snow surfaces including surface hoar, facets and a melt freeze crusts on solar aspects. Two other surface hoar layers are buried within 20cm of the upper one. The mid-pack is well settled comprised of more facetted snow crystals for the cold spell.
Avalanche Summary
A brief look at the avalanche paths in the highway corridor this morning showed numerous natural avalanches at all elevations running onto the fans. The same can be expected in the backcountry.
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.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.