New snow and wind will mean that storm slabs are likely to be encountered, and may be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT - Flurries, 5-15 cm / southerly winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine low temperature near -5SATURDAY - A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / southwest winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1700 mSUNDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, 5 cm / southeast winds, 15-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1700 mMONDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / southwest winds, 15-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1700 m
Avalanche Summary
Reactive storm slabs may be found at upper elevations. On Thursday, there were several reports of natural and human triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5, as well as a few natural loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5.On Tuesday, there were two reports of glide slab avalanches, size 1 and 2.5. These occurred on southeast aspects between 2200-2400 m. Both released on rock slabs.
Snowpack Summary
10-30 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on 10 to 30 cm of dry snow, surface hoar (feathery crystals) and isolated wind slabs. Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.North facing slopes above 2000 m may also have a layer of sugary faceted snow buried 50 to 70 cm.Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.
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.