We are on the tail end of an avalanche cycle. All the recent storm snow may take a bit of time to strengthen. Conservative decision-making is recommended.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, freezing level 1200 m.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light southwest winds, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1000 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1100 m.MONDAY: Mostly cloudy, light west winds, alpine temperature -10 C, freezing level below valley bottom.
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle occurred on Thursday into Friday. Large (size 2 to 3) storm slab avalanches were triggered naturally and by explosives on Friday within the storm snow.
Snowpack Summary
Around 60 to 80 cm of snow fell in the region on Thursday and Friday above 1500 m. This new snow has formed touchy storm slabs. The snow is falling with strong southwest winds, so expect the deepest deposits in lee terrain features near ridges at higher elevations. In sheltered areas around treeline, this snow overlies a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals. Below 1500 m, the precipitation largely fell as rain, so expect wet snow that will freeze into a hard crust once temperatures cool.In the east side of the region near Corbin, a persistent weak layer that formed in early December may still be found 80 to 120 cm deep. This layer mostly consists of sugary faceted snow with some isolated areas also containing feathery surface hoar crystals. While professionals are still tracking this layer, it has not been reactive for some time now.Near the bottom of the snowpack lies a mix of crusts and facets that formed in late October/early November. This layer may only be an issue on steep slopes where the snowpack is shallow.
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.