***UPDATED 6:25***
In areas where snowfall amounts exceed 20 cm expect a new storm slab that is reactive to human triggering.
10-20 cm of recent new snow and winds switching direction are promoting fresh wind slab development over previously wind affected surfaces and in some places weak facetted snow.
On Saturday numerous reports of small avalanches (size 1.5) and noted settlement and whumpfs during field travel. On Friday, both natural and explosive controlled large (size 2) wind slab avalanches have been reported at elevations above 2200 m and on north aspect terrain. On Thursday extensive explosive control at a number of professional operations, produced large both wind and storm slab avalanches up to size (2.5).
As temperatures have increased 10-25 cm of recent snow has settled and in some areas is becoming unconsolidated. Below, you will find weak, and faceted snow in many areas and wind-affected surfaces in open areas.
A layer of surface hoar is found down 70 cm in sheltered, north-facing terrain. This layer appears as a sun crust on south-facing slopes. Expect this layer to be reactive to human triggering.
A thick crust deep in the snowpack largely protects any weak layers further down in the snowpack from being triggered.
Sunday Night
Mainly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow expected. Southwest ridgetop wind 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature around -2 °C.
Monday
Mainly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow expected. Southeast ridgetop wind 10 to 25 km/h. Treeline temperature around -2 °C.
TuesdayMainly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow expected. Southwest ridgetop wind 10 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperature around 1 °C.
WednesdayMainly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow expected. Southeast ridgetop wind 15 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature around 1 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
