Storm slabs may remain reactive to human triggers in the alpine and possibly upper treeline elevations. Use small slopes without consequence to test the bond of the new snow.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with wet flurries; 3-5 cm. / Moderate, southwesterly winds / Low 0 / Freezing level rapidly dropping to 700 m.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate, westerly winds / High -2 C / Freezing level 500 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy with flurries; 5-10 cm. / Light, southwesterly winds / High-7 C / Freezing level 200 m.MONDAY: Mostly sunny with cloudy periods / Light, northeasterly winds / High -8 C / Freezing level surface.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches were reported in the region. However, a natural avalanche cycle likely occured on Friday in alpine areas.
Snowpack Summary
In the alpine, 35-50 cm of new snow has buried either a crust or heavily wind effected old snow. A mixture of wet snow and rain fell at treeline elevations which will likely bond well to the old snow surface. Below treeline, the snowpack has soaked up the rain like a sponge.Below the surface, the remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.
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.