Cloud developing during the day with some wind and snow by afternoon will increase wind slab danger in the alpine and at treeline.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday
Weather Forecast
Cloud developing Thursday morning as southerly winds push the next storm into the region. Expect 3-5 cm during the day and another 10-20 cm by Friday morning combined with moderate southwest winds. Light snow and westerly winds on Friday with the freezing level rising up to 700 metres. The next storm should develop on Saturday night.
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanches reported. Some explosive controlled cornice was reported up to size 2.0 on Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
On Tuesday, 5-10cm of low-density snow was redistributed by winds into new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. These new wind slabs overlie 40-50cm of storm snow from last weekend. Limited observations suggest the recent storm snow has gained considerable strength, although I'd continue to be wary of lingering pockets of wind slab on high elevation, wind-loaded slopes. On steep, south-facing terrain you may find a sun crust from solar warming on Monday. Below 2200m, a hard rain crust can be found approximately 120cm below the surface.
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.