Continued strong winds are producing widespread wind slabs on open slopes.Ice climbers be aware of exposure from above to loose dry avalanches.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday
Weather Forecast
Continued strong westerly winds for the next few days. Expect 5-10cm on Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday will remain cold with a high of -10c.
Avalanche Summary
If Tuesday's storm is intensified, natural avalanche activity will likely increase.
Snowpack Summary
10-15cm new snow in last 36 hrs with strong westerly winds. Extensive wind slabs in Alpine and open areas at TL.. The Nov 12th crust layer is buried 50-70cm and continues to give variable test results. Most of the snow pack is faceted and weak, especially where more shallow. The weather forecast is indicating another 10-15cm with strong winds which means the wind slabs will continue to grow and become more sensitive to human triggering.
Problems
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.
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.