Additional snow and wind Friday night into Saturday will build onto existing wind slabs in the alpine elevation band
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY: Flurries Friday night into Saturday, accumulation 10-15cm / Moderate west wind / Alpine temperature 2 / Freezing level 1300mSUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate northwest wind / Alpine temperature -1 / Freezing level 900mMONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light north wind / Alpine temperature 1 / Freezing level 1200m
Avalanche Summary
There has been no significant recent avalanche activity reported from this region.
Snowpack Summary
Tuesday and Wednesday saw very heavy amounts of precipitation. The freezing level hovered around tree line during that time, however it can be expected that 70-100cm of snow fell at upper elevations. The new snow would have been redistributed by moderate to strong southwest wind and is sitting on a well settled lower snowpack. Rain below tree line has soaked an already moist and/or wet lower 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.