Not a good time to be in avalanche terrain of any kind. This includes valley bottom runout zones.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Another storm is on its way! This is expected to start tonight and bring 14cm of snow. Overnight treeline winds will be about 30km/hr from the SW. Tomorrow we are expecting another 12cm. Some models are calling for 35cm in the next 24-36hours. Temps will rise to -6 in the alpine tomorrow. Winds are expected to slow as the storm passes.
Avalanche Summary
With the sudden and unexpected weather pattern, there is an ongoing natural cycle underway. Today's observations are as follows:- K-Pow shared this info: Natural sz4 in the alpine near their operation. Specifics are not known to us at this point, but it cleared mature timber and made new paths.-Commonwealth Ridge, sz3.5, E aspect, very wide propagation, 80-100cm deep, started in the alpine and widened out one trim line.-Ranger Creek, sz3.5 debris made it to the top of the runout (to the pinch for those that know the area)-numerous sz2 slabs at treeline and alpine areas throughout the forecast region, out of steep skiable terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Last night we received more wind than expected. Lots of wind transport involving the storm snow. The winds were out of the north and as such, the new wind slabs are on NE-SW aspects. Temperatures also crept up today to near 0C. This has made for increased slab development as the snow bonded quickly. These new slabs are at all elevations, and all aspects when the older wind slabs are taken into account. The weak layers are much deeper now and very stressed. Some crowns from today were almost 2m deep.
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.
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.