Some new snow arriving with wind will contunue to promote wind slab development.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
MONDAY Night: Snow, accumulation 5-10 cm / moderate southwest wind / alpine temperature -9 CTUESDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, accumulation 5 cm / light northwest wind / alpine temperature -6 C / freezing level 1200 m WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / light west wind / alpine temperature -8 C / freezing level 1000 mTHURSDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / light southwest wind / alpine temperature - 7 C / freezing level 1100 m
Avalanche Summary
Reports on Sunday indicate natural and human triggered storm and wind slab avalanches to size 1.5 on north and southwest aspects in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. There are up to three layers of surface hoar that were buried in January and February. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at lower elevations. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanches on these layers are infrequent, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks, large open glades and south facing slopes.The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust.
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.