Gusty winds are redistributing any loose snow. Be mindful that strong winds can form slabs lower in terrain than expected.
Gusty winds are impacting any loose snow, variable winds may have reverse-loaded features. Watch for reactive deposits around ridges or lee features.
Early observations Thursday reported rapid wind slab development throughout the day, including reports of a few size 1-2 natural and rider-triggered avalanches, and skiers seeing shooting cracks at treeline and below (MIN).
On Wednesday, small size 1 wind slabs were reactive to skiers. Reports place these slabs in wind-loaded features, open treeline areas and higher.
15 to 30 cm of wind-affected snow rests on a thick rain crust. In some areas surface hoar and/or facets are buried below this surface snow, 10 to 40 cm deep. Recent strong winds have varied in direction, building stubborn wind slabs on all aspects at upper elevations.
Treeline snow depth range from 200-280 cm. The lower snowpack has no layers of concern.
Thursday night
Cloudy with flurries, trace to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm. 30 to 60 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy and unsettled. 40 to 60 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 10 cm. 40 to 70 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
