Cool temps (-12 to -15 @ 3000m) and very light snow fall is expected over the next three days. Wind will remain strong at high elevations from the NW until late Monday.
Snowpack Summary
20-30cm of new snow over the weekend with gusty SW through NW winds has created wind slabs in lee areas above treeline. The new snow sits on a firm crust on solar aspects up to ridge crests and up to 2300m on N aspects. This buried crust provides a bridge over the basal facets which remain dormant.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches observed or reported but the potential for triggering wind-slabs at ridge crest is definitely there today.
Confidence
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.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.