Happy Holidays! Watch for signs of storm slab formation. Consider avoiding steep solar aspects this afternoon if the sun comes out.
Weather Forecast
A mix of sun and cloud today with light winds and alpine temperatures remaining cool around -12C. A SW flow should bring 20cm of storm snow through Tuesday evening accompanied by light to moderate SW winds. Expect a rising avalanche danger as the week progresses.
Snowpack Summary
In the past week 100cm+/- storm snow has fallen at treeline elevation. The storm snow is slowly settling into a slab over the Dec 18th facet/surface hoar layer down around 60cm. In many areas the storm snow remains loose and unconsolidated. Watch for signs of the storm snow settling into a slab.
Avalanche Summary
Nine avalanches observed out of steep terrain in the highway corridor in the last couple days. Friday there was a report from treeline on Avalanche Crest of small convex rolls shearing off down 50cm, likely at the Dec 18th interface.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
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.
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.