http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/scond/Cond_E.asp?oID=22583&oPark=100205 Be cautious of the effects of the sun on the new snow today! Continually reassess the snowpack for changes as you transition into different terrain.
Weather Forecast
The cooling trend continues today with no snow forecasted and clearing skies with cooler temps. Alpine highs of -8 and ridge top winds up to 15 kph are expected today. Tuesday another storm will reach the park bringing more precip.
Snowpack Summary
Evidence of wind loading in the alpine was observed, below treeline the new snow is settling into a reactive slab. Whumphing and cracking was also reported in sheltered locations with the suspect layer being the Jan 4th persistent weak layer.
Avalanche Summary
With the break in the weather yesterday, evidence of the large natural avalanche cycle during the storm was observed. Most of this activity was in the top 50-60 cm of the snowpack, but with wide propagation and some avalanches triggered deeper layers. We received reports of skier triggered avalanches within the new snow (down approx. 40) yesterday.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
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.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.