Watch for thin wind slabs in the alpine that could be problematic, especially in technical terrain.
Confidence
Fair - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
Expect dry and cloudy conditions until Saturday, when light flurries are expected. The freezing level is expected to be near 2000 m. Winds are moderate to strong from the west.
Avalanche Summary
A skier remotely triggered a size 1.5 wind slab on Tuesday on a SE aspect in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
North and west winds have created isolated stiff wind slabs 5 to 10cm thick on lee and cross-loaded slopes. On other slopes you may find tired old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.
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.