Incoming snow, wind, and warming temperatures will increase avalanche hazard over the next several days.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY: Still snowing with another 15 to 20 cm by Friday evening with continued strong SW winds. Temperatures cooling slightly with freezing level falling to 700 m.SATURDAY: Unsettled conditions with a mix of sun and cloud and another 3-5 cm of snow. Freezing levels hovering around 700 m and winds easing to light southeasterlies.SUNDAY: Unsettled conditions with a mix of sun and cloud and another 3-5 cm of snow. Freezing levels hovering around 700 m and light southeasterly winds.
Avalanche Summary
The likelihood and size of slab avalanches will increase with continued snow and wind and warming temperatures. Natural avalanches are likely during periods of heavy loading from snow, wind and rain.
Snowpack Summary
Much of the region received around 50cm of of fresh snow over the past couple of days, which is bonding poorly to a sun crust on southerly aspects and surface hoar on shaded aspects. Fluctuating temperatures have likely resulted in weaknesses within this recent storm snow and southwesterly winds have likely deposited deep and touchy wind slabs in exposed terrain. The mid and lower snowpack appear to be well settled and strong.
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.