Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Friday
Weather Forecast
Friday: Heavy snowfall / Strong to extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 1100mSaturday: Trace amounts of new snow / Light northwest winds / Freezing level at surfaceSunday: Moderate to heavy snowfall / Moderate south winds / Freezing level at 1100m
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Thursday. Significant storm slab activity is expected with forecast weather on Friday.
Snowpack Summary
There have been a few reports of fairly widespread surface hoar that was buried on February 20th. Since then relatively light accumulations have covered the surface hoar with calm winds leaving the weak crystals well preserved. This interface may be the thing to watch as it becomes further buried by heavy accumulations on Friday.Several crusts can be found in the snowpack, especially on solar aspects; however, reports indicate these interfaces have settled out fairly rapidly in most areas. The mid and lower snowpack layers are generally strong and well settled.Total snow depths vary from around 400 cm in the south to around 180 cm in the north.
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.