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A new storm system moves into the area, with more snow expected i the next 2 days. Storm snow can be unstable for a while and needs time to settle. At the ground there is weak and sugary snow - an unstable foundation. If an avalanche is triggered, it could be large, taking away the whole snowpack. A small loose dry, wind or storm slab avalanche could trigger a larger avalanche involving deeper layers.
Skier-triggered persistent slab near Kobi pass, N, 3000m. The avalanche broke near the ridge where there was a build-up of wind-blown snow, and failed on the weak base layer.
A skier triggered a couple of 'persistent slab' avalanches on the W face of Sadzele, at around 3000m - luckily they did not spread across the whole slope.
Size 2 natural storm slab, Bidara, E, 2900m
Size 1 + 2 natural slabs (possibly wind slabs) seen on Bidara NE, 2700m,
The snowpack is growing, it's now as deep as 150cm some areas at high elevations. Early season snow formed a sugary, weak base at ground, around 15 - 30cm thick. This layer is unpredictable since the early snow cover was inconsistent - but it's more likely to cause problems in the high alpine zone on W, N and E slopes.
Shooting cracks, whumpfing and rider-triggered avalanches have been reported over the last week - signs of an unstable snowpack - and the base layer is the cause. On solar aspects a crust formed in the recent warm and sunny weather. The snowpack has had additional weight added from the 50 - 80cm of new snow on Friday 9th, with S winds transporting this snow at high elevations. Lower down (below about 1800m) rain and wet snow fell.
Another front moves in on Monday 12th, continuing on Tuesday 13th. 20 - 30 cm of snow expected. Moderate S or SE winds, freezing level around 1600m, lowering on Tuesday afternoon.
Low visibility. Buried rocks. Loose dry 'sluff' avalanches on steep areas - keep an escape plan in mind.