Snowfall is forecast to intensify on Friday. Fresh wind slabs may become reactive. If you see 20 cm of new snow, treat avalanche danger as CONSIDERABLE in the alpine.
Fresh slabs may become reactive as snowfall intensifies on Friday. Whumpfing, cracking, and hollow sounds are all signs of instability that should cause you to back off into lower angle or less wind-loaded terrain.
Thursday night: Flurries 3-5 cm, ridgetop winds moderate west, low of -5.
Friday: Flurries 10-15 cm, ridgetop winds moderate to strong southwest, high of -3.
Saturday: Cloudy with isolated flurries 0-3 cm, ridgetop winds light northwest, high of -5.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, ridgetop winds light northwest, high of -12.
Recent snowfall has been incremental, warm and sticky and seems to be stabilizing as it accumulates. We have received no reports of avalanche activity or signs of instability. If snowfall intensifies on Friday, rapidly developing wind slabs may become reactive.
Around 10 cm of recent snow and strong southerly winds are building fresh wind slabs on lee features. These wind slabs are sitting on a variety of wind affected surfaces and/or a crust that extends up to at least 1200 m on all aspects. Below this, the mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas.
Weak facets (sugary snow) exist at the base of the snowpack, especially in more shallow snowpack areas further inland.
