Snowfall amounts will be variable within the region on Wednesday. Expect new slabs to form if enough snow accumulates. Use extra caution if you find substantial snowfall accumulation.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, moderate south winds, freezing level below valley bottom.WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level rising to 1000 m.THURSDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, light to moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level rising to 1500 m by the end of the day.FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy, light to moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level rising to 2000 m by the end of the day.
Avalanche Summary
Only a few avalanches were observed in the region on Monday. A few small natural wind slabs were observed at treeline and a small slab was triggered by a skier below treeline.
Snowpack Summary
Snowfall on Wednesday may form new wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain features at high elevations. This new snow will fall on widespread wind-affected snow at alpine and treeline elevations. Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
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.