Light snow and wind in the forecast means the potential for pockets of wind slab to develop in lee areas and near ridgelines. Watch for signs of wind deposited snow.
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY: Mainly cloudy. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature -5. Freezing level 1000 mTHURSDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10cm. Moderate gusting to strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature -5. Freezing level 1000 mFRIDAY: Cloudy isolated flurries. Moderate southwest wind. Alpine temperature -5. Freezing level 1100 m.
Avalanche Summary
Large loose, wet avalanches were reported during last week's rain event. With a return to more winter-like temperatures and freezing levels the snow surface has since refrozen and no new avalanche activity has been reported. Wind affect in the recent snow has been noted on northeast through south aspects in the alpine. As wind continues to redistribute the new snow expect to find pockets of wind slab in lee areas.
Snowpack Summary
At upper elevations about 5-10 cm of snow has fallen on the crust that formed after last week's rain and warm weather. Reports from the area indicate that the crust is supportive, up to 10 cm thick and extends to mountain top elevations on all aspects. Many areas below treeline are below threshold depths for avalanches.
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.