Conditions are stabilizing but patience is advised before venturing into wind loaded alpine slopes. Stick to sheltered tree line slopes.
Weather Forecast
Temperatures will remain seasonal (Max -7 Min -15) with no snow in the forecast. Light Westerly winds can be expected at tree line with moderate to strong winds in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slab can be found on most lee slopes extending from the Alpine well into tree line elevations. Expect variable wind loading patterns as directions vary with local terrain influences. Cornices are well developed.
Avalanche Summary
An avalanche cycle occurred Sunday into Monday. Slab avalanches to size 3 were observed on NE aspects at alpine and tree line elevations and in some locations, have stepped down to the basal facet layer. Large cornice failure has triggered large avalanches on the basal facet layer as well.
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations on Thursday
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.