High winds and lots of new snow over the last few days, combined with forecast strong winds for today, have contributed to avalanche conditions. Expect natural avalanches today.
Weather Forecast
Moderate snowfall and strong winds are in the weather forcast for this area today and tonight and then both the wind and snowfall should ease to light wind and flurries for Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
A 70cm storm slab from a layer buried Nov. 28 is becoming increasingly cohesive due to moderate to strong winds. The Nov 6 crust may become reactive with increasing load.
Avalanche Summary
Yesterday an avalanche cycle occurred during a period of intense wind and snowfall. 6 size 3, and 13 size 2-2.5 natural avalanches were observed from steep paths adjacent to the highway, east of the Summit.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Thursday
Problems
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.
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.
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.