The winds are loading slopes rapidly. Even though the storm was a downer, the ongoing wind loading is worth some serious consideration. The storm snow is warm and heavy...perfect for building windslabs.
Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Some more snow is expected as this system tapers out. The forecasts are saying another 7 tonight and 10 tomorrow. The winds are expected to calm slightly, but the gusts will stay in the extreme range (80km/hr). The wind direction will be from the SW & W. Freezing level will climb to 2000m tomorrow.
Avalanche Summary
Natural activity included loose dry & fresh storm slabs up to sz 2.0 on east aspects.
Snowpack Summary
The recent storm appears to have fizzled out. New snow amounts vary from 10cm to 25cm through most of the forecast area. The strong winds that accompanied the snow created fresh storm slabs on N-SE aspects. These slabs are expected to be as low as treeline in most places. The warmer temps have encouraged settlement within the storm snow. At lower elevations, settlement slabs likely exist.
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 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.
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.