Danger may be one step higher in localized areas that receive more than 10 cm of new snow on Saturday.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate to strong southwesterly ridgetop winds. Alpine temperature -3. Freezing level around 1900 m.SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southwesterly ridgetop winds. Alpine temperature 0. Freezing level around 2000 m.MONDAY: 5-10 cm new snow. Light easterly ridgetop winds. Alpine temperature -5. Freezing level around 1500 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in this region on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
5-10 cm recent storm snow and moderate variable winds have formed small wind slabs on a variety of aspects sitting on hard crusts on lee features at treeline and above. Numerous crusts exist within the top 100 cm of the snowpack. Some parts of the region may have a surface hoar layer roughly 60 cm deep on sheltered northerly aspects at treeline.A well settled midpack sits above sugary facets in many parts of the region, especially thin snowpack areas.
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.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.