Recently formed wind slabs are expected to remain reactive to human-triggering in exposed alpine terrain.Extra caution is required around cornices and on steep sun exposed slopes during the heat of the afternoon.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Mostly sunny conditions are expected on Friday with moderate to strong southwest winds in the alpine and freezing levels reaching over 2000m in the afternoon. A mix of sun and cloud is forecast for Saturday with strong southwest winds in the alpine and freezing levels reaching around 2300m. A weak storm pulse is currently forecasted for Sunday morning but is only expected to bring a couple millimeters of precipitation.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, two natural size 1.5 storm slabs were reported from the north of the region. These were 30cm thick and released on an southeast-east aspect in the alpine. A natural size 1.5 loose dry avalanche was also reported in the north from an east aspect gully feature in the alpine. In the southeast of the region, several size 1 wind slabs were ski cut on north through east aspects at 1800-2100m elevation. These were 10-30cm thick on steep leeward features around ridge crests.
Snowpack Summary
15-25cm of recent storm snow with strong southwest winds have formed wind slabs in leeward features. The recent snowfall may overlie a sun crust on steep solar aspects or small surface hoar in isolated sheltered areas. The recent wind has also formed large cornices which are expected to become weak with the forecast warming and sun. Old weak layers can still be found in the snowpack but these layers are reported to be well bonded and triggering has become unlikely.
rbuhler,
Avalanche Canada
