Watch for increasing avalanche danger over the next 48hrs as a warm pulse of Pacific moisture brings upwards of 30cm of forecast snow by Tuesday evening.
Weather Forecast
12cm of snow is on route today accompanied by moderate S'ly wind and a freezing level inching up to 1400m. A more significant pulse of warm Pacific moisture will bring upwards of 25cm by Tuesday evening along with gusty SW winds. Look for an increasing avalanche danger in the next 48hrs.
Snowpack Summary
20cm of low density snow covers surface hoar or suncrust at treeline & sheltered alpine locations. Presently unconsolidated, watch for change in the next 24 hrs toward storm slab. A 20cm crust left over from late October sits on the ground and may be poorly bonded on some high elevation north aspects. Snow depth is 60cm at 1300m and 150cm at 2000m.
Avalanche Summary
One natural size two avalanche observed off the north face of Mt MacDonald ran to the beginning of the run out. Sluffing from ski-cutting was observed from steep slopes (>35 degrees). These sluffs gathered enough mass to push a person around, though not bury them. Use caution around cliffs and terrain traps where these sluffs could cause problems.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
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.