Recent winds may have formed new slabs at high elevations. Don't discount the warm air either, especially on sun-exposed slopes.
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, freezing level below valley bottom.MONDAY: Mostly clear skies, light northwest winds, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level 2000 m with inversion conditions.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, light west winds, alpine temperature 1 C, freezing level 2500 m with inversion conditions possible.WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy, light west winds, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level 2000 m with inversion conditions possible.
Avalanche Summary
Small natural wet loose avalanches were observed on southerly aspects on Saturday. Otherwise, no new avalanches were observed.
Snowpack Summary
The snow surface has been impacted by warm air temperatures, the sun, and recent strong northwest winds. Above 2000 m, you will likely find a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects, wind-loaded terrain features on southwesterly aspects, and dry, wind-effected snow on northerly aspects. Below 2000 m, expect to find a crust on all aspects.Beneath this, around 40 to 60 cm of snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on south aspects and a spotty weak layer of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains. There have been no observations of avalanches on this layer and snowpack test results suggest the overlying snow is bonding to the layer. Where this layer exists, it is most likely to be found between 1700 m and 2000 m.The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.
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.