Confidence
Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain for the entire period
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Strong W winds. Light to moderate snow, starting late in the day. Alpine temperature around -6.Monday: Light to moderate NW winds. Light snow. Alpine temperature around -7.Tuesday: Light SW winds. Light snow. Alpine temperature around -7.
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, naturally triggered (some by cornice fall) slabs to size 2 were observed on steep slopes. Numerous loose dry avalanches (size 1.5) failed naturally (some with cornice fall as the trigger) and with skier traffic in steep terrain on Friday. In the south-east of the region, a size 2 slab was triggered by explosives.
Snowpack Summary
10-30 cm of snow which fell on Friday added to recent snowfall above old surfaces including loose dry snow, old wind slabs and sun crusts. This recent snow (up to 50 cm total) has been shifted onto lee slopes by strong SW to NW winds. New storm slabs, cornices and wind slabs are likely. Mid and lower snowpack layers are generally well settled and stable.
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.