Forecast temperatures and freezing levels are uncertain. Hazard may increase in areas experiencing above freezing temperatures and sunny weather.
Confidence
Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain
Weather Forecast
Freezing levels are tricky to forecast in the coming days with mild temperatures and temperature inversions dominating the weather pattern this week. TUESDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm / southwest winds, 20-50 km/h / alpine low temperature near -7WEDNESDAY - Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm / southwest winds, 40-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near 0 / Alpine temperature inversionTHURSDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / southwest winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near 0 / alpine temperature inversionFRIDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / southwest winds, 10-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near 0 / alpine temperature inversion
Avalanche Summary
A size 1 human triggered wind slab avalanche on an east aspect at 1950 m was reported on Tuesday.A few reports of natural and explosives triggered avalanches to size 1.5 were reported in the region on Monday.
Snowpack Summary
Approximately 60 to 80 cm of snow fell above 1500 m in the region late last week. Strong winds have redistributed the snow and formed wind slabs in alpine and treeline areas. In sheltered areas around treeline, this snow possibly overlies a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). Below 1500 m, the precipitation largely fell as rain, so expect to see a crust at or near the snow surface.In the east of the region near Corbin, a persistent weak layer that formed in early December may still be found 80 to 120 cm deep. This layer mostly consists of faceted (sugary) snow with some isolated areas also containing surface hoar. While professionals are still tracking this layer, it has not been reactive for some time now.There is a mix of crusts and facets that formed in late October/early November near the bottom of the snowpack. This layer may only be an issue on steep slopes where the snowpack is shallow.
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.