This bulletin is based on limited data. Local variations in conditions are likely to exist. Check out the forecaster blog for further details on interpreting early season bulletins.
Confidence
Poor - Due to limited field observations for the entire period
Weather Forecast
Friday: A warm front is moving across the region friday which should leave some light to moderate precipitation in the form of snow in the mountains. The freezing level is supposed to rise to its highest point during the day to reach about 1500 m. The Westside of the region should see the most snow, in the 20 cm range. Winds are forecasted to blow moderately from the South West. Saturday and Sunday: The cold front following will bring cooler temperatures and we could see some light flurries throughout the weekend. Winds should also calm down and turn from the North West.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported. If you and your friends have been out exploring and riding in the backcountry, and have some observations to share please send an email to [email protected].
Snowpack Summary
Snowpack observations and information are very limited, and conditions across the region vary. In the alpine, some winds slabs are expected to form on North and NorthEast aspects throughout Friday. We can expect that the windslabs will not bond right away with the layer below and that human activity may initiate avalanches. A crust is found at lower elevations under this past week’s snow accumulations, however there is no information leading to think that it could act as a weak layer. However, be aware of instability signs such as whumphing, which is a good indicator of an unstable snowpack.
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.
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.