The storms keep coming. Monday will offer a brief respite before another weather system brings more snow and wind Monday night through Tuesday. As a result, the avalanche danger will remain elevated through the forecast period.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY NIGHT: Snow, accumulation 10-15 cm. Alpine temperature -4. Moderate to strong south wind. Freezing level 1000 mMONDAY: Snow, accumulation 5-10 cm. Alpine temperature -2. Moderate southwest wind. Freezing level 1200 mTUESDAY: Snow, accumulation 20-30 cm. Alpine temperature -2. Moderate southwest wind. Freezing level 1500 m.WEDNESDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5cm. Alpine temperature -4. Light south wind. Freezing level 1000 m
Avalanche Summary
The latest of series of storms to hit the area over the past week has led to another avalanche to close out the weekend with both natural and explosives triggered storm and wind slab avalanches running size 2-3 in the alpine and at treeline. Expect natural avalanche activity to decrease with a break between storm systems on Monday, however I would expect human triggered avalanches to still be possible as the storm snow settles.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 2 m of snow has accumulated over the past week. We are in the midst of another series of storms impacting the region, which will bring another round of snow and strong to extreme southerly winds.A weak layer of facets and surface hoar lies below all the recent storm snow. Initially, avalanches were reported to be running on this layer. However, recent avalanche activity is running in the storm snow above this layer. Still, the presence of this layer shouldn't be completely discarded, since it could potentially increase expected avalanche size with a large trigger like a cornice collapse.
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.