A heavy storm slab and warm temperatures have elevated the danger ratings for the next couple of days. Natural avalanches should be expected.
Weather Forecast
Flurries are expected today bringing another 10-15cm. Freezing levels will hover around 1400m and winds will be moderate from the SW. Things will dry out after today and freezing levels will drop to valley bottom by Thursday evening.
Snowpack Summary
35 cm of new snow has fallen in the last 48 hrs. Southerly winds to 45 km/hr have likely redistributed this snow at ridgetop. 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 faceted and weak.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural avalanches to size 3.5 have been observed in the last 24 hours, several dusting the highway. Confined gullies have been producing the biggest results, with debris reaching the valley floor.
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.