Storm slabs will likely be reactive to skier and rider triggers. Changing winds from the East to the Southwest will potentially form wind slabs on most aspects.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
Overnight Thursday: New snow 5-10 cm accompanied by strong southwest winds and freezing level at valley bottom.Friday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Snow 5 cm possible, but low confidence on actuals. Ridgetop wind strong from the southwest. Alpine temperatures near -2 and freezing levels 1500 m.Saturday: Mostly cloudy. Snow amounts near 5-10 cm and ridgetop wind strong from the southwest. Alpine temperatures near -3 and freezing levels 1500 m.Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Freezing levels near 1300 m. Ridgetop wind mostly light with strong gusts from the southwest.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche observations from this region.Avalanche hazard will be on the rise with forecast snow and wind.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 5 cm of new snow adds to the 30 cm from earlier this week. Forecast snow for Friday will add to these totals and likely have a poor bond to the underlying snow surfaces which consist of crusts, dry snow or surface hoar on north aspects above 1500 m. Deeper in the snowpack (50-80 cm down) a weak layer of surface hoar buried mid-February may exist. This interface is dormant, but could wake up with a heavy load like a cornice fall, human triggers from a thin, shallow area on the slope or a rapid warm up. Digging towards the bottom of the snowpack you'll find a combination of crusts and facets that are reportedly widespread.
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.