Watch for wind loaded features above terrain traps like cliffs and gullies.
Confidence
High - The weather pattern is stable on Thursday
Weather Forecast
Thursday: Sunny with cloudy periods and alpine temperatures near -2. Ridgetop winds light from the southeast.Friday: Snow amounts 5-15 cm with alpine temperatures near -2 and freezing levels near 1400m. Ridgetop winds light from southeast.Saturday: Mix of snow and rain up to 30mm. Freezing levels 1500m. Ridgetop winds light-gusting strong from the south.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche observations have been reported. Reactive wind slabs may linger in exposed alpine features. No avalanche concerns at lower elevations.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10 cm of heavy snow fell in the region last weekend. Current cold temperatures have formed a solid surface crust up to 1400m. At higher elevations, small wind slabs may be lingering in the lee of exposed ridges. The mid and lower snowpack are settled and well bonded with the average snowpack depth up to 300 cm at treeline.
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.