Another several days of stormy weather will elevate the avalanche hazard. Stick to simple terrain. If you're at lower elevation but around avalanche paths think about what's above you and the possibility of a full-path avalanche.
Confidence
High - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: 10 to 20 cm new snow. Freezing level around 800 m. Moderate southerly winds.SUNDAY: 15 to 35 cm new snow depending if you're in a snow-hole or not. Freezing level around 1200 m. Strong southerly winds.MONDAY: Another 10 to 20 cm new snow. Freezing level dropping back to around 1000 m. Moderate southwesterly winds.TUESDAY: Storm continues, new snow accumulations continue with another 20 or 30 cm forecast. Freezing level steady around 1000 m. Moderate southwest winds.
Avalanche Summary
Last week's widespread natural avalanche cycle is slowing down. On Friday most reported avalanches were size 2 to 2.5 with crowns reported from 60 to 150 cm thick on all but windward aspects.Human-triggered avalanches were my concern during Saturday's short-lived lull before the next storm ramps up overnight Saturday and really gets going Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 2 m of snow fell in the series of storms that started a week ago. Extreme southerly winds (up to 180 km/h!) accompanied the storms. Another series of storms is on the doorstep.A crust likely exists on or near the surface at elevations below approximately 1700 m.A weak layer of facets and surface hoar lies below the recent storm snow. Initially, avalanches were reported to be running on this layer. However, recent avalanche activity is running in the storm snow above this layer. Still, the presence of this layer shouldn't be completely discarded, since it could potentially increase expected avalanche size with a large trigger like a cornice collapse.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.