Lots of new snow will be available for the winds to blow with the active weather systems forecast for Wednesday. The new snow will form slabs as it begins to settle and is redistributed by the wind. Great skiing in the meantime with very little wind.
Weather Forecast
Tuesday Cloudy, warming, freezing level 1400m. Light precip overnight, 5cm. Winds light S in the morning, to moderate SW in the afternoon.Wednesday Strong variable winds as low passes South shifting briefly North then West. Little overnight recovery, temps dropping midday. 10-15 cm.Thursday Cloudy, winds moderate to strong W. Freeze level 1300m.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 60 cm Storm snow above 2100m with minimal wind effect mainly in areas exposed to North winds. March 3 rain crust is as high as 2100m with 25cm over a weak crust at 1700m and 20cm over a very weak crust and an isothermal (rain soaked) snowpack below 1500m. Crusts gaining strength with cooling trend. A very thin suncrust formed on South slopes.
Avalanche Summary
A few size 2 slabs were seen today that appeared to have been in areas just a bit pressed by North winds. The slabs all looked to have been very soft and may have run in the storm snow or on the March 3 rain crust. All of these events were triggered by light loads: minor sluffs from steep terrain.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
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.