Confidence
Fair - Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Monday
Weather Forecast
Synopsis: A very strong ridge of high pressure continues to dominate the weather pattern with no end in sight. Winds amp up a bit on Sunday night and again on Wednesday.Monday: Sky: Cloudy; Freezing Level: Valley Bottom; Precip: Nil Wind: Light, NETuesday: Sky: Mix Sun/Cloud; Freezing Level: Valley Bottom; Precip: Nil Wind: Light, EWednesday: Sky: Mix Sun/Cloud; Freezing Level: Valley Bottom; Precip: Nil Wind: Light E/NE, Mod E/SE at ridgetop.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity on Thursday/Friday/Saturday was limited to minor sluffing from steep terrain.
Snowpack Summary
The upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated and layers are well bonded. In most areas, a widespread weak layer is now buried by up to 10cm of new snow but has not yet become a problem. This weak layer consists of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on open south facing slopes, facet grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of any of the above. This layer is not yet a concern but is expected to become a problem in the future when we finally get more snowfall. A facet/cust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has recently become inactive but remains a concern. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be large, destructive avalanches.
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.
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.