Wind slab avalanches are possible in wind loaded areas at upper elevations.
Recent snow has likely formed wind slabs in the alpine and near ridgetops. Even thin wind slabs could be reactive and propagate widely because the new snow is burying large surface hoar crystals.
THURSDAY NIGHT: 10-15 cm of new snow, 30 km/h wind from the west, alpine high temperatures drop to -5 C.
FRIDAY: Isolated flurries with up to 5 cm of new snow then clearing in the afternoon, 20 km/h wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -4 C.
SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.
SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.
A few small wind slab avalanches (size 1) were reported on Thursday morning. Looking ahead, the main concern is new slabs forming above the recently buried surface hoar crystals. Over the next few days the likelihood of triggering storm slab or wind slab avalanches will increase as snow accumulates and settles above this layer.
Stormy weather is burying a concerning layer of surface hoar that formed in areas sheltered from the wind. By Friday afternoon there could 15-30 cm of fresh snow above this layer. As more snow accumulates above this layer expect to it form very reactive slabs. Reports suggest this layer can be found on all aspects up to treeline elevations. In the alpine, the new snow is burying hard wind slabs and sun crusts on south-facing terrain. The lower snowpack is generally considered strong, as there has been very little to report in terms of recent avalanche activity or snowpack test results on deeper layers. Snowpack depths at treeline range from 100-150 cm and taper quickly at lower elevations.
