Windslabs continue to form. Warming is expected. Watch for a potential increase in activity and sensitivity to triggering over the weekend especially if the sun comes out.
Weather Forecast
Warm temperatures are expected over the next few days with a strong possibility of some clears skies. Freezing levels will continue to reach above 1400m and moist snow should be expected on steep solar aspects. The Moderate West and Northwest winds we had look as though they will continue or intensify. Potentially some flurries and cooling Monday.
Snowpack Summary
Continued small amounts of recent snow. Depth over 130123 interface of facets, settled windslabs, and suncrust varies from 20 to 70 cm. Warm temps and wind encouraging slab formation and cornice growth. Soft windslabs now 20 to 30 cm thick along exposed ridge crests, with many loaded gullies and alpine fans in North, East and South East aspects.
Avalanche Summary
No activity observed in the last few days.
Confidence
Timing or intensity of solar radiation is 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.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.