There is a lull between weather systems on Thursday. The taps are expected to turn on Friday and Saturday again.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY Night: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries / moderate southwest wind / alpine temperature -3 C / freezing level 1400 mTHURSDAY: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks / light to moderate south wind / alpine temperature 2 C / freezing level 2000 mFRIDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm at upper elevations / moderate to strong south wind / alpine temperature -1 C / freezing level 1600 mSATURDAY: Snow, accumulation 20-30 cm at upper elevations / moderate to strong south wind / alpine temperature -2 C / freezing level 1400 m
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity to report.
Snowpack Summary
5-15 cm of new snow falling Wednesday has been redistributed at upper elevations by southwesterly winds. This sits on a melt-freeze crust or wet snow depending on elevation, except for north aspects above 2000 m where it may be sitting on dry snow and/or weak feathery surface hoar. Below 1800 m the entire lower snowpack is either moist or wet.
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.