Good group management and conservative terrain choices are essential today as you travel through avalanche terrain. Note avalanche activity and avoid paths that have not avalanched recently.
Weather Forecast
Flurries are forecast today with freezing levels remaining at valley bottom and moderate SW ridge top winds, gusting to 95 km/h. Another storm moves in tonight into Monday. Heavy precipitation is forecast with freezing levels rising to 1200 m on Monday. Expect strong winds from the west during this storm. Flurries are forecast for Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
Over 75 cm of high density storm snow at treeline overlies previous lower density layers resulting in a touchy surface slab. Moderate to strong winds are aiding in slab development in exposed terrain treeline and above. The Nov 28th surface hoar layer, down over 2 m, may be reactivated by the rapid loading or step down avalanches.
Avalanche Summary
We have limited observations of a few small natural avalanches up to size 1.5, the occurred overnight. A large cycle of natural avalanche was observed through out the day yesterday. Avalanches were up to size 3.5 depositing snow at the bottom of runnouts. Yesterday, artillery control produced numerous avalanches from all aspects up to size 3.0.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday
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.