Dangerous avalanche conditions, avoid all avalanche terrain.
40cm of new snow will over load a fragile snowpack that is already primed for human triggering.
Avalanche control planned for Wednesday, a good ski resort day.
Avalanches initiating within the storm snow may step down to the Feb 3rd melt freeze crust, if they do the crust will promote wider propagation and produce much larger and more destructive avalanches.
A second storm will dump 40-60cm of snow in addition to the 60cm that fell on Sunday forming a deep storm slab, accompanied by strong winds this slab is even deeper and more reactive on wind loaded terrain features.
The second major storm in less than a week has arrived with heavy snowfall and strong winds, avalanche hazard will increase through the day on Wednesday.
Tonight: Flurries up to 7cm, moderate SW winds, low -17°C, freezing level (FZL) at valley bottom.
Wed: Storm day, snow - 30cm, strong SW winds, low -10°C rising to -5°C , FZL 1300m.
Thurs: Storm continues, snow 25cm, - 11°C, strong W winds, low -12°C, FZL 1400m.
On Tuesday a group triggered a size 3 avalanche from ridge top at tree line in the camp west area failing on the Feb 3rd crust (see photos). Numerous other human triggered avalanches have been report throughout the region on this layer. Natural avalanche activity has tapered off since the weekend but will pick up again with the arriving weather on Wednesday.
On Sunday avalanche control produced numerous avalanches up to size 3.5, showing wide propagations on the crust.
An additional 40-60cm of snow will pile up on Wednesday over the settling 60cm that fell last weekend. Strong winds in both storms formed deeper and more reactive pockets on leeward features. By Wednesday afternoon the reactive Feb 3rd crust will be over 100cm deep in most areas at tree line and alpine elevations.
The mid to lower snowpack is well settled, except in isolated areas of the alpine where an unusually thin & faceted snowpack exists.
