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Weather Forecast
The next few days look dry and cool. Winds are moderate to strong from the north quarter (although the direction will vary locally). Freezing level valley floor by night and rising to around 1000 m by day.
Avalanche Summary
Skiers triggered small size 1 wind slabs on Friday. More of the same is likely to be found as outflow winds continue. Small loose wet avalanches are possible on sun-warmed slopes.
Snowpack Summary
Strong outflow winds (mainly from the north) have created areas of thin wind slab on lee slopes. On other slopes you may find 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.