Patience, Grasshopper. The snowpack needs time to adjust to the load of the new snow. I'd give it a few days before pushing into steep alpine terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
A mix of sun and cloud is expected for the forecast period, although light flurries are possible on Tuesday. Ridge top winds should remain generally light and northwesterly with freezing levels hovering between 500m and 800m. For a more detailed weather overview, check-out the Mountain Weather Forecast at: avalanche.ca/weather
Avalanche Summary
At the time of publishing, there was little information available regarding avalanche activity in the region. However, there were some reports of explosive controlled storm slabs to size 2.5 in lee alpine features. In at least one case, the avalanche failed on a rain crust approximately 100cm below the surface.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 45cm of new snow has be shifted by strong southerly winds into much deeper and potentially reactive storm slabs in lee terrain. Below 1800m, reports suggest there is much less wind effect and therefore less cohesion in the newly formed slab.Below 2200m, a hard rain crust can be found approximately 120cm below the surface. Recent tests suggest an improving bond at this interface. That said, in some areas the crust may remain reactive for some time after weaknesses within the storm snow have strengthened. I'd dig and test this layer before committing to any steeper exposed lines.
jlammers,
Avalanche Canada
