Regions
South Coast Inland.
Recently formed storm slabs are expected to remain reactive to human triggers, especially in wind effected areas at treeline and above.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries / Light southwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level around 500m.SATURDAY: 5-10 cm of new snow / Moderate to strong southwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level around 700m.SUNDAY: 10-20 cm of new snow / Strong southwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level rapidly rising to around 1800m.
Avalanche Summary
Two size 1.5-2 naturally triggered wind slabs were reported on west, northwest aspects in this region on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of new snow on Thursday morning brings recent storm totals to 60-90cm. Moderate southerly winds continue to redistribute the new snow. Last weekend's strong to extreme southeasterly ridgetop winds likely created dense storm slabs lurking in lee and cross-loaded features at treeline and above.90-120cm below the surface you'll likely find a few crusts that were buried during the first few weeks of January. Due to limited observations, not much is known about the current reactivity of these layers.The lower snowpack includes the mid-December crust layer. I'd expect an improving bond at this interface; however, the load of the new snow may tip the balance and reactivate this layer in isolated terrain - particularly in the north of the region where it's shown prolonged reactivity in snowpack tests.
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.