Regions
South Coast Inland.
Conditions vary rapidly with elevation. Watch out for fresh wind slabs above the rain-snow line.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, light south wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 1900 m.FRIDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, moderate to strong south wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1600 m.SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, moderate south wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1600 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1600 m.
Avalanche Summary
Small storm slab avalanches were triggered by skiers and naturally on Wednesday. They were 10 cm thick and generally on northerly aspects. The likelihood of triggering avalanches will increase above the snow-rain line due to continuous snowfall this weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Above around 1900 m, 10 to 15 cm of recent snow overlies a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north, where the snow may overly weak faceted snow or surface hoar. The snow has been redistributed by strong southerly wind. Another 5 cm is expected to accumulate during Friday. Below 1900 m, the snowpack is wet. Snow is melting rapidly at lower elevations.
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.