Caution is advised when approaching bigger terrain. Lots going on at all elevations with this new snowfall.
Confidence
Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable
Weather Forecast
There is a winter storm watch in effect. Please visit your local weather site for up to date forecast. Tuesday is forecast to bring more snow (11cm) with -15c in the Alpine. The winds, however, are forecast to switch direction and come from the East at 25-35km/hr.
Avalanche Summary
Three natural loose dry avalanches size 1.5 were observed in the Murray Creek area.The new snow also moved easily under our skis on the hard wind slab in the moraines of Murray Creek.
Snowpack Summary
Early Monday morning, we received 25cm of new snow in the valley bottom and 35cm in the alpine. Some of this snow has started to turn into a slab in the alpine due to wind. All of this new snow is sitting on a variety of surfaces. Remember those hard wind slabs we have been talking about; it is a pretty smooth surface for the new snow to slide on, so be cautious under larger or steeper slopes. Some of this new snow might also be sitting on a sun crust that was formed a week or so ago on steep solar aspects. Also remember the surface hoar that was formed over this 3 week dry spell; it can be found up to 2100m and can be a sliding surface if the slope is steep and planar. Lots going on at all elevations, so be cautious on your approach especially with more snow on the way.
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.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.