Weather models disagree about the amounts of precipitation expected overnight and into Sunday. This forecast is based on lower values.
Confidence
Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday
Weather Forecast
Tonight and Sunday: Light precipitation and moderate SW winds will continue through the day before tapering off Sunday night. Total storm accumulations of 10 to 15cm are forecast however models have consistently over predicted precipitation for the last several systems. Freezing levels are forecast to remain around 1500m.Monday: Expect a pretty benign weather day ahead of the next low pressure system with overcast skies, and light southwest winds.Tuesday: The next front of the system will push warm air over the colder air inland. A slight temperature inversion will develop with the possibility for above freezing temperatures as high as 2000m. Light precipitation and strong SW winds will are associated with the arrival of the front.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche reported
Snowpack Summary
Snowpack depths vary greatly across the region but are significantly thinner than average amounts for this time of year. Terrain below treeline is still mostly below threshold for avalanche activity. Between 10 and 15 cm of new snow is settling into a soft slab. Southerly winds have formed pockets of windslab in alpine lee features.Surface hoar from early in December can be found buried is sheltered locations above 1900m. On slopes that were scoured by early December's strong N winds the late November crust may have been exposed on the surface before the recent snowfall however in most locations it underlies up to 40 cm of week sugary snow.At higher elevations a few early season crusts can be found close to the ground, especially in thin and rocky areas such as glacial moraines.Early season riding hazards such as rocks, stumps and logs are lurking below the surface at treeline elevations. In glaciated terrain the forecast snow might just be enough to hide open crevasses where supportive snow bridges have not yet developed.
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.