New snow and strong winds have formed wind slabs in leeward areas near ridge crests and on convex features which may be reactive to human triggers.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries; accumulation 5-10 cm. Moderate southwesterly ridgetop winds. Alpine temperature 2. Freezing level around 1700 m.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Moderate southwesterly ridgetop winds. Alpine temperature 4. Freezing level rising to around 2000 m.MONDAY: 5-10 cm new snow. Light northeasterly ridgetop winds. Alpine temperature 1. Freezing level around 1600 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in this region on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
10-15 cm of recent storm and moderate winds have formed wind slabs sitting on hard crusts on lee features at treeline and above which may be reactive to human triggers.There are some reports of a surface hoar layer roughly 100 cm deep on sheltered northerly aspects at treeline, but no recent avalanche activity has been reported on this layer. Below this, the mid-pack is generally well settled and strong.A layer of sugary facets around a crust can be found near the bottom of the snowpack which has been inactive for some time.
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.