Confidence
Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Sunday: 13cm of new snow - moderate southwest winds - alpine temperatures of -8.0Monday: 15cm of new snow - moderate to strong southwest winds - alpine temperatures of -9.0Tuesday: 30cm of new snow - moderate southwest winds - alpine temperatures at -7.0
Avalanche Summary
Multiple size 1 and 1.5 slab avalanches were observed on lee aspects at treeline and in the alpine on saturday. Conditions have been described as touchy with the new snow and wind.
Snowpack Summary
The region received 20cm of new snow on friday night and throughout saturday. Alpine winds were moderate to strong from the southwest during this period. Touchy windslabs up to 50cm deep now exist on lee aspects.Below this new snow a weak rain crust exists up to treeline. This crust may over-ride buried surface hoar and/or facets may persist 10-20cm below. Watch this layer as it gets more load and a thick cohesive slab develops, particularly below treeline where the buried surface hoar would be especially large. A strong mid pack overlies basal facets that have also gained considerable strength.Snow depths are at approximately 140cm at treeline in the Spearhead area and 180cm at treeline in the Branywine area.
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.