Forecast new snow and wind are expected to continue to develop storm slabs overnight.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Moderate snow (5-10 cm) and moderate to strong southwest winds overnight with the freezing level dropping to valley bottoms. Light snow during the day Friday becoming moderate snow in the evening. Snow will be combined with moderate southwest winds and freezing levels rising up to 1200 metres. Flurries or light snow during the day on Saturday with light winds and freezing levels climbing from valley bottoms up to 1200 metres. Mostly clear on Sunday with light winds and freezing levels climbing from valley bottoms up to 1200 metres.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday a natural cornice fall resulted in a size 2.0 avalanche.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate southwest winds and 5-10 cm of new snow added to the wind slabs and settling storm snow from the past few days. About 40-60 cm below the surface, you'll likely find a melt freeze crust. This crust exists in most places except for higher elevation shaded terrain. In many areas there seems to be a reasonable bond between the crust and the overlying snow. I'd still keep an eye on this interface as it has become reactive on some features. Surface hoar buried in early January now lies up to 180cm below the surface and has become less of a concern. Possible triggers for this deep and destructive layer include a large cornice fall or significant warming.
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.