Warmer and windier conditions are expected to start this week.
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A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for a long time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
During weekend patrols on Highway 93N, no new avalanche activity was observed, aside from some minor sluffing in steep, rocky terrain
Nearest neighbors are still observing natural Deep Persistent Slab activity this week, and several explosives-triggered Deep Persistent Slabs (up to size 2) were reported by the ski hill on Wednesday. This serves as a reminder that this problem persists, and triggering full-depth avalanches remains a possibility.
Over the past week, up to 10 cm of low-density snow has accumulated under calm conditions. With an incoming weather system, be alert for the potential formation of wind slabs.
The snowpack is mostly made up of facets and ranges in depth from 60 to 120 cm at treeline and above. At the bottom of the snowpack there are multiple early season crusts with facets above and below.
From Sunday evening through Monday, expect lighter winds, partly cloudy skies, and occasional flurries. Temperatures will begin to warm as an upper ridge starts to develop.
Early in the week, W-NW winds are forecasted to intensify as the ridge strengthens, reaching its peak by Tuesday. By mid-week, the ridge is expected to weaken temporarily, leading to very strong winds, particularly at ridgetop elevations.
