Watch locally for wind slabs in alpine terrain.
Recent snow (15-40 cm in past week) and previous strong winds have likely created wind slabs in lee alpine terrain. This problem is primarily a concern where it overlays a crust or in steep loaded lee terrain.
A few small natural loose dry avalanches were noted along the highway corridor Friday. No new slab avalanches were observed or reported today.
A new surface crust has formed on solar aspects to ridge crest. On northerly aspects, up to 40cm of recent storm snow remains preserved. Recent strong winds have created wind-slabs in the alpine. The basal depth hoar is only a concern in shallow snowpack areas. Lower elevations have a temperature crust on all aspects.
A trough of low pressure will form over the forecast region bringing cloud cover and light precip. A mix of snow and rain will fall at the valley bottom as freezing levels climb to 2200 through the day. Minimal accumulation is expected over higher terrain. Winds will remain in the light to moderate range in the alpine.
