A storm forecast for Friday night could bring 40cm of snow at upper elevations along with strong winds. Assess the conditions becausethis will increase avalanche dangers.
Weather Forecast
Snow is forecast to start Friday afternoon at higher elevations and continue throughout Saturday. Accumulations could be up to 40cm by Sunday. Freezing level is also forecast to climb, with rain at valley bottom. Strong westerly winds will accompany this system with gusting over 100km/hr.
Snowpack Summary
Another 10-15cm overnight on top of the 40cm from Friday. Strong West winds continue to build wind slabs in open areas. labs can be found behind exposed features well below treeline and more significant slabs exist at higher elevations. 30 to 40 cm off of the ground a weak layer of sugary faceted crystals remains a concern.
Avalanche Summary
Some continued loose snow avalanche activity on wind loaded slopes as well as one small slab lower down the slope in CV4.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday
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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.