A reactive storm slab will build through the day as new snow accumulates with steady winds.
A weak layer of surface hoar crystals is buried around 30 to 50 cm in sheltered, shady terrain around treeline. Recent warm conditions have likely promoted bonding of this layer but there is uncertainty about whether it is still a problem.
10-20 cm new snow is expected by the end of Saturday around the region. Falling with steady southwesterlies, slab properties are expected to develop through the day especially in areas impacted by wind.
Friday night: Flurries, 5-10 cm. Alpine low temperature -7 C. Strong southwest wind.
Saturday: Flurries and snow, 5-15 cm. Alpine high temperature -5 C. Moderate to strong southwest wind.
Sunday: Flurries and snow, 10-15 cm. Alpine high temperature -7 C. Moderate southwest wind.
Monday: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine high temperature -15 C. Moderate east wind.
No new avalanche observations were reported this week, this comes from a very limited observation network.
Around 10-20 cm new snow is expected by the end of Saturday, falling with a steady wind. This will cover a mix of recent wind slabs and wind-affected snow as well as melt freeze crust on south aspects and below about 1100 m.
A weak layer of surface hoar crystals buried early March may be found around 30 to 50 cm deep, particularly in sheltered terrain around treeline. Recent observations of this layer are lacking.
An early-season layer of faceted grains and melt-freeze crust near the base of the snowpack likely lingers in high alpine features. The most suspect locations to trigger this layer would be where the snowpack is thin near rocky outcroppings. Large loads, such as cornice fall, may have the potential to trigger it.
