Slabs that formed during the recent storm may take a couple days to stabilize. Assess the snow distribution and bonding before committing to avalanche terrain. Also watch the skies and expect the snow to move on southerly slopes if the sun comes out.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 1200 m.SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated snowfall, trace accumulation, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1400 m.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light south wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1700 m.TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1600 m.
Avalanche Summary
Small storm slabs were triggered by skiers on Friday, within the recent storm snow up to 40 cm thick. The likelihood of triggering avalanches is increased above the snow-rain line due to stormy conditions this weekend and the potential for loose wet avalanches if the sun shines.
Snowpack Summary
Around 20 to 30 cm of recent snow has been blown around by strong to extreme southerly wind. This snow overlies recent storm snow on high-elevation northerly aspects and a melt-freeze crust elsewhere. 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.
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.