A good day to visit your local ski area and stay in bounds
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure over the area will provide a break in the precipitation today and some clearing can be expected. Later today the first in a series of vigorous low pressure systems will move in bringing light to moderate precipitation and moderate to strong SW winds tonight and tomorrow. Freezing levels rising to 1200m today
Snowpack Summary
Over 100 cm of new snow has fallen in the park during the last week. This snow overlies a weak old snow surface that was buried on Feb 10th.
Avalanche Summary
Many natural and artillery triggered avalanches have been observed recently. Some of these occurances have been very large, running to the end of their run out zones. These avalanches are failing in the storm snow or on the Feb 10th weak layer
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations
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.
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.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.