Snow amounts will have a direct impact on the sensitivity of new windslabs. Weather models indicate anywhere from 10 - 30cm in the next 48 hours.
Weather Forecast
Light snow is expected to continue through the weekend with moderate NE winds and cold temperatures. We could possibly get 15 cm by Monday.
Snowpack Summary
New snow on the way will be reverse loading lee slopes with moderate NE winds. Surface faceting and surface hoar will be buried creating a second weak interface in the upper snowpack. Poor bonding between these layers is expected. This new snow sits on a weak and faceted mid-pack with depth hoar to ground.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche observations or reports today.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.