A natural avalanche cycle is underway in Rogers Pass. Avoid overhead hazard and be very conservative with your route choices today.
Weather Forecast
The main storm pulse has passed through the area. Today will be mainly cloudy with some sunny breaks, freezing levels remain below 800m, and moderate winds from the SW. Tonight and tomorrow expect flurries with up to 5-10cm of new snow, freezing levels will hover around 1000m, and winds will be moderate from the SW.
Snowpack Summary
Another 25cm arrived last night, bringing the storm total to 65cm. Strong/extreme southerly winds have loaded lee features and formed widespread storm slabs. The Feb 14 crust is buried 80-100cm deep. On N aspects above 1600m, the Feb 14 layer is surface hoar.
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle was in full-swing last night, with numerous storm slab avalanches to size 3-3.5 ripping out of Mt Tupper, Mt Macdonald, Cheops, and adjacent to NRC Gully. Avalanches were running to the end of their paths, depositing branches and dust on the highway.
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.
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.