Successive moderate storms will keep danger elevated, particularly in steep, wind-affected terrain.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Lingering flurries are forecast for Saturday, with a clearing trend for Sunday and fine (warm) weather next week. Saturday: Scattered flurries (5-10cm new snow) with freezing levels around 900 m. Moderate southerly winds.Sunday: Dry with some sunny breaks. Light northwesterly winds. Freezing level 700m.Monday: Dry with sunny periods. Light northerly winds. Freezing levels around 700 m.
Avalanche Summary
Over the past three days, ski cutting has consistently produced soft slab avalanches up to size 1.5 in the storm snow at treeline and alpine elevations. On Friday, most slabs triggered were approximately 25cm thick, running on a density change within the recent storm snow.
Snowpack Summary
Approximately 40-60 cm new snow now sits on top of a rain crust (or multiple crusts) that formed during the recent wet weather. Strong (southerly) winds have blown snow around in exposed areas creating drifts and scoured areas. Snowpack depths are typically around 150 cm in sheltered treeline locations, although deeper (and shallower) spots certainly exist on account of the strong winds.
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.