New low density snow came in with little wind leaving loose snow on ledges and in gullies. This will potentially impact climbers.
Weather Forecast
Seasonal temperatures with light flurries and no significant wind through the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
20cm of low density storm snow sits on top of a 10cm thick laminated crust at tree line, below the crust is 20-30cm of large grain snow to ground. Pockets of wind slab may exist in the alpine and resting on the crust up to 2600m. Below treeline is un-skiable due to lack of snow. Early season conditions exist at all elevations.
Avalanche Summary
Some loose dry activity noted on steep slopes. This could be an issue for ice climbers in the high alpine. (Most lower elevation ice climbs are not in shape).
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations on Friday
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.