Successive storms will maintain elevated danger through the rest of this week. Pay particular attention in exposed areas where wind has blown the new snow into dense wind slabs.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Thursday: 20-25 cm new snow expected with freezing levels around 1000 m. Strong southwesterly winds.Friday: 10 cm new snow expected with freezing levels around 1000 m. Moderate southwesterly winds.Saturday: 20-25 cm new snow expected with freezing levels around 900 m. Moderate southerly winds.
Avalanche Summary
Expect human triggered and natural avalanches to occur in steep, wind-affected terrain at higher elevations.
Snowpack Summary
30-40 cm of new snow now overlies a crust. Indications are the new snow has generally bonded well at elevations below 1500 m. Higher up things are uncertain - we basically have no reports. Travel in many places is rugged, with many open creeks, alder and other early season hazards. Expect snow depths of around 10 cm at 800 m and around 120 cm at 1200 m.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.