Stay aware of changing conditions and make observations as you travel.
Watch for reactive wind slabs at higher elevations, and remember the potential for surface snow to lose cohesion when the sun is out.
Wind slabs may be found at higher elevations on all aspects from recent variable winds. Larger and more reactive wind slabs are expected to have formed from the recent northeast winds, and can be found on south or west facing slopes.
Watch for wind affected snow near ridgelines and around mid slope rollovers.
A cool and unsettled flow will affect coastal regions into the weekend. Convective flurries are expected in isolated areas and may be heavy at times.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloud with light northerly winds. Freezing level drop to 500 m. Overnight flurries bring up to 5 cm.
FRIDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with light southerly winds. Freezing level rises to 1000 m. Light snowfall in the afternoon bringing 5-10 cm for most areas, with locally heavier accumulations possible in isolated terrain.
SATURDAY: Increasing cloud with moderate easterly winds. 2-10 cm of snow expected. Freezing levels rise to 1100 m.
SUNDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with increasing southeasterly winds. Freezing levels rise to 1100 m. Isolated flurries are expected to bring trace amounts.
On Wednesday small point releases and sluffing were observed in the recent storm snow out of steep features to size 1. Check out this MIN report on recent conditions in the Beadnell area.
Observations are limited at this time of year, so please consider posting to the Mountain Information Network.
Recent storm snow of 20-60 cm has begun to settle over a widespread crust. Winds have switched from southwest to northeast; wind affected snow can now be found on all aspects at treeline and above.
Watch for large, overhanging cornices when travelling on or below ridgelines. Reports suggest they are large and weak, and could fail from your weight.
Several crusts exists in the upper snowpack, some widespread and some limited to solar aspects. These crusts may act as sliding surfaces for avalanches, however reports suggest that snow is bonding well to the crusts. The mid and lower snowpack is considered strong at this time, consisting of hard snow and melt freeze crusts.
