You may still be able to find wind slabs at higher elevations. Buried weak layers are also lingering and have recently released large, scary avalanches triggered by skiers. Conservative decision-making is recommended.
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy with flurries, accumulation of 5 cm, moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -6 CTHURSDAY: Flurries, moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1200mFRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods, light southwest winds, alpine temperature -1 C, possible temperature inversionSATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light southwest winds, alpine temperature 1 C, possible temperature inversion
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, a cornice fall triggered a persistent deep slab avalanche in the north of the region. The avalanche was very large (size 3.5) and released to ground, on a northerly aspect in alpine terrain. Additionally there were several other reports further south in the region of natural and explosives triggered persistent slab avalanches to size 3.5 on northwest aspects in the alpine.On Monday, a large (size 3) avalanche was triggered by a skier in the north of the region. It is likely that it released on weak faceted grains near the base of the snowpack, as described in the snowpack summary.On Sunday, a small (size 1.5) skier-triggered avalanche was noted in the north of the region. It occurred in steep terrain above a cliff and the avalanche released to the ground, likely within the weak snow described in the snowpack summary.These reports indicate that basal instabilities are still possible to trigger by humans, particularly in the north of the region.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs are reported as being widespread in lee and cross-loaded terrain features at treeline and alpine elevations. Wind slabs may be found on all aspects due to variable wind directions.There are deeper weaknesses in the snowpack. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 80 to 120 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. Humans could trigger these layers in areas 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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.