If snowfall amounts are greater than forecasted, expect fast sluffing and the danger rating to bump up in the alpine and tree-line.
Weather Forecast
A weak disturbance moves through the region today. Expect flurries today and tonight, amounting to 5cm. Freezing levels will remain at valley bottom and winds will be light from the west.
Snowpack Summary
A light dusting now covers sun crust on steep south and west aspects, and slightly softer snow on N and E slopes. Prior to this snow, widespread surface hoar was growing right to ridgetop. The mid-pack is well settled and strong, with weaker basal layers.
Avalanche Summary
Along the road, a few small slabs to size 2 were observed from steep start zones yesterday. In the backcountry, staff was able to ski-cut thin (5cm) hard slabs in wind affected areas in the alpine.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
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.