Variable amounts of snow fell in the region, mostly at alpine elevations. Watch for signs of instability, such as cracking and avalanche activity. Use caution at low elevations if the snow surface is still wet.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
We're looking at seasonal temperatures and light snowfall accumulations in a north / easterly flow. SATURDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5-10 cm possible in eastern sections of the region, light northeasterly winds, alpine temperature +2 C, freezing level 1500 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 3 to 8 cm, light to moderate northerly winds, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 1100 m.MONDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, moderate westerly winds, alpine temperature +1 C, freezing level rising to 1600 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, several small wet loose avalanches were reported on sunny aspects at all elevations. A size 1.5 natural cornice failure was also reported on a high north east facing ridge line, which did not trigger any slabs below.
Snowpack Summary
Variable but overall small amounts of new snow fell at high elevations and rain fell at low elevations. This landed on a melt-freeze crust produced with the recent warm air temperatures, sun, and rain. The crust exists everywhere except for possibly on shady aspects at high elevations. Expect to find wet snow at low elevations.Deeper in the snowpack, the mid-December and late-November weak layers are composed of crusts and sugary facets, which are down 200-300 cm. These layers have been dormant but may be awoken by a large trigger, such as a cornice fall.
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.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.