The transition to winter avalanche conditions is upon us. Even a small slide can have serious consequences in steep terrain or in terrain traps. Ice climbers need to carefully assess their routes and consider carrying avalanche rescue equipment.
Confidence
Poor - Due to limited field observations
Weather Forecast
Cloudy day expected for Tuesday with little or no precipitation. Alpine temperatures will remain cool and winds are expected to be light from the west.
Avalanche Summary
Minor sluffing to size 1.0 from steep terrain in alpine on all aspects.
Snowpack Summary
Snowpack settling. Variable wind effect in Alpine. Snowpack is below threshold at treeline and below.
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.
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.