This bulletin is based on limited data. Local variations in conditions are likely to exist. Check out the forecasters blog for further details on interpreting early season bulletins.
Confidence
Poor - Due to limited field observations for the entire period
Weather Forecast
Thursday Overnight: Increasing cloud with 5-7 mm precipitation. Freezing level near valley bottoms. Expecting -6.0 in the alpine. Winds light to moderate from the SW.Friday: Cloudy with 10-15 mm precipitation, some areas may see up to 30 cm at higher elevations. Freezing level rising to about 1100 metres during the precipitation and then descending to near valley bottoms, -5.0 in the alpine. Winds moderate from the SW.Saturday: Cooling trend behind the storm as High pressure moves into the region, freezing level at valley bottoms. Expect -10.0 in the alpine. Winds should clock to the NW. No precipitation expected.Sunday: Should still be under the influence of the High pressure. Cooler temps and light winds.
Avalanche Summary
We have not received any reports of avalanches from the region. Please send us an email if you have any observations.
Snowpack Summary
We don't have much hard information for this region. Reports suggest that there is more snow in the South of the region than there is in the North. The arctic air has moved into the North of the region, and may cause some surface hoar or near surface facetting.
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.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.