Windslabs at treeline and in the alpine are the main concern. Expect the temperature to fall as cold air infiltrates the region from the north.
Confidence
High - The weather pattern is stable
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY Night: Mainly cloudy, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -12 C.SUNDAY: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, accumulation 5 cm, moderate north east wind, alpine temperature -15 C.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northeast wind, alpine temperature -18 C.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northeast wind, alpine temperature -15 C
Avalanche Summary
Numerous explosive triggered size 1.5-2 storm slab avalanches were reported on Friday in the alpine and treeline.
Snowpack Summary
40-50 cm of new snow Thursday and Friday combined with with strong southwesterly winds sits on a crust on all aspects except north, wind-affected surfaces in the alpine and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets in sheltered terrain at treeline and below. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Problems
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.