Wind and new snow continue to load an already stressed snowpack
Weather Forecast
Forecasted snow (10 to 15cm) to continue through the evening Sunday. SW winds with strong to extreme ridge top values, tapering off and shifting to northerly though Monday/Tuesday. Increasing pressure, blue skies and arctic temps by mid-week.
Snowpack Summary
New snow being re-distributed by moderate to strong SW winds, loading N to NE aspects on an already stressed facet interface down between 20 to 50cm. Hard windslab over a weak mid-pack, over an even weaker facet and depth hoar base to ground.
Avalanche Summary
Active avalanche cycle through the forecast region. Loading continuing though the night Sunday. Significant activity directly observed from Alpine and TL elevations between (2200m - 2500m) Saturday. No new observations Sunday due to poor visibility.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday
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.
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.