Avoid areas that have snow blowing into deeper deposits.
Recent snow and wind has created wind slabs on leeward and cross-loaded slopes.
Retreat to mellower terrain if you find signs of instability like shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
On Friday a few small ( size 1 to 2 ) natural wind slab avalanches were reported in lee features.
If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network).
Recent snow (5 to 15 cm ) combined with moderate to strong wind have formed wind slabs on leeward slopes. Expect to find soft snow in sheltered areas. A layer of weak, feathery crystals (surface hoar) may be found 20 to 30 cm down.
A 2 to 10 cm thick rain crust can be found down 50 to 100 cm at 1400 m and below. This layer is currently not an avalanche concern.
At treeline we expect a snow depth of 250 cm or more. Snowpack depth tapers with elevation to around 50 cm at valley bottoms.
Many early season hazards are just below the surface below treeline.
Saturday Night
Cloudy. Up to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 400 m.
Sunday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
