Clear and cold conditions continue through the weekend. It is still possible to trigger avalanches where the wind has formed slabs at higher elevations.
Recent wind has likely left pockets of unstable snow in alpine terrain and near ridgetops. The most recent wind came from the southeast, making northwest facing slopes the most likely place to find wind slabs.
FRIDAY: Mostly clear, light wind from the northeast, alpine high temperatures around -7 C.
SATURDAY: Sunny, light wind, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.
SUNDAY: Sunny with increasing cloud in the afternoon, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.
MONDAY: Snow, accumulation 10-20 cm, strong southwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -4 C.
A few small (size 1) naturally triggered avalanches were reported midweek. The main concern for human triggering is currently in areas where wind has blown surface snow into wind slabs.
Recent wind from the southeast has likely left wind slabs on north and east facing slopes at higher elevations. The snow from last weekend appears to have settled and gained strength, as shown by this MIN report from the Shames area on Wednesday. A total of 30-80 cm of settled snow from last weekend sits above a widespread crust. The snow has likely bonded to this crust, however given the lack of field observations there is still some uncertainty about whether this could be an interface capable of producing large avalanches. The total snowpack depth is around 100 cm at 1200 m, and is still below the threshold for avalanches in many areas below treeline.
