New snow and strong winds will form slabs over the previous weak facet layer resulting in a rising hazard level. We have seen a few slides run further than expected. Make conservative terrain choices until more is known about how this new snow reacts
Weather Forecast
Upper elevation winds will remain strong Monday night then slowly diminish during the day on Tuesday becoming light by Tuesday night. 5-10 cm of new snow is forecast for Monday night and into Tuesday. Alpine temperatures will hold steady Monday night near - 10'C and begin dropping on Tuesday. Valley bottoms will see high temperatures near freezing.
Snowpack Summary
Strong SW winds Monday have redistributed recent snow into wind slabs in open areas above treeline. This recent snow sits over weak facets, previous wind effect or sun crusts on steep solar aspects. The mid pack varies from supportive in thicker snowpack areas to weak and completely faceted in thin areas.
Avalanche Summary
Small natural wind slabs and loose dry avalanches were observed in the alpine Monday afternoon as the winds increased. An avalanche incident occurred on an ice climb on Mt Stephen where a relatively small natural avalanche traveled a very long distance entraining the loose facets in the path and reaching valley bottom.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday
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.