At upper elevations where dry snow exists, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggers especially in wind loaded terrain features.
Recent snow and wind have formed thick slabs over a slippery, thick rain crust. These storm slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on Saturday, particularly in wind loaded areas.
Friday night : Snowfall 10-20 cm, strong, southwest wind, alpine temperature around -1, freezing level 1000 m.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy with flurries up to 5 cm, moderate west wind, high of -1, freezing level 800 m.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy with sunny periods, light to moderate northwest wind, high of -2, freezing level 600 m.
Monday: Sunny, moderate northeast wind, high of -10, freezing level valley bottom.
On Thursday, natural loose wet activity was observed around Shames up to size 2. Skier and explosive triggered storm and wind slabs were also reported size 2.
30-50 cm of heavy, moist snow from the recent storm will freeze from the surface down as freezing levels drop over the weekend. Below the recent storm snow, a widespread 10-30 cm thick rain crust at all elevations makes human triggering of avalanches on weak layers deeper in the snowpack very unlikely.
However, cornices overhead are a primary concern during sunny, warm, or windy conditions. Cornice failures can trigger very large persistent slab avalanches that would otherwise be difficult to human trigger.
