Watch out for potentially higher snowfall amounts in the south of the region.
Confidence
Poor - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Friday: Light snowfall is expected to continue overnight Thursday but taper off Friday morning. Up to 5 cm can be expected by noon on Friday. Treeline temperatures are expected to be around -2C. Winds moderate southwesterly.Saturday: The south of the region could see 10 cm new snow Friday night with further light amounts during the day on Saturday. Treeline temperatures falling to around -8. Winds gusting to around 60 km/h from the SW.Sunday: Should be dry. Temperatures continuing their downward trend. Winds light southwesterly.
Avalanche Summary
No observations were made due to poor visibility. One loud avalanche was heard running in the alpine on Wednesday afternoon.
Snowpack Summary
Only relatively small amounts of new snow have been added since the more significant storms at the beginning of the week. Storm slab depths are variable from approximately 20 to 45 cm. Moderate to strong Southwest winds have recently been moving snow at treeline and in the alpine--expect wind slabs to be developing in exposed lee areas. Two crusts have been identified in the snowpack: one close to the ground that formed in early November and one around 90 cm below the surface, which formed in early December. Snowpack tests indicate these crusts are well bonded to the snow above and below.
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.