A moist pacific weather system will generate significant snowfall amounts through Tuesday night into Wednesday morning at higher elevations.
Weather Forecast
Heavy snowfall warning in effect for the high mountain passes on Tuesday night with 15-20cm accompanied by strong South Westerly winds.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slab forming on lee alpine ridge lines. Large surface hoar crystals formed last week are being buried by new snow. This layer is more likely to be found on sheltered slopes at tree line and below The interface between the strong mid-pack and weaker basal facets is most susceptible to human triggering from shallow rocky areas.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches observed today.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday
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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.