Continuing snow will improve ski conditions on treeline and alpine slopes. On solar aspects, a breakable suncrust reduces the fun factor.
Weather Forecast
Light precipitation to continue until Sunday morning with amounts of 10-15 cm expected at upper elevations. Rain likely below treeline. Light to moderate SW winds to continue. Clearing on Sunday with falling freezing levels.
Snowpack Summary
Crusts exist up to 2200m on all aspects and extend higher on solar aspects. Above treeline, wind slabs up to 65cm thick can be found in isolated locations. Bonding of these slabs is good however a graupel (Marmot Area) and facet (elsewhere) layer has moderate shear tests. Deeper weaknesses can be found near the base of the snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanche patrol on Friday. No avalanches reported.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Saturday
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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.