Another day with a stable weather pattern. Cooler, drier conditions will give way to a series of frontal systems impacting the region early in the week.
Recent new snow combined with west, southwest and northwest winds have promoted windslab development. At treeline, these slabs may be sitting on a recently buried weak layer of surface hoar.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods, light wind from the northwest, alpine high temperatures around -7 C.
SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.
MONDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm, moderate to strong wind from the southwest, alpine high temperature around -4 C.
TUESDAY: Snow, accumulation 20-40 cm, moderate to strong wind from the southwest, alpine high temperature around -5 C.
There have been no recent reports of avalanche activity. Looking ahead, the main concern is slabs forming above the recently buried surface hoar recent new snow continues to settle.
10-30 cm of fresh snow may now be sitting above a concerning layer of surface hoar that formed in areas sheltered from the wind. As more snow accumulates over this layer expect to see it form very reactive slabs. Reports suggest this layer can be found on all aspects up to treeline elevations. In the alpine, the new snow is burying hard wind slabs and/or sun crusts on south-facing terrain. The lower snowpack is generally considered strong, as there has been very little to report in terms of recent avalanche activity or snowpack test results on deeper layers. Snowpack depths at treeline range from 100-150 cm and taper quickly at lower elevations.
