Fresh soft slabs and loose dry deposits of storm snow in the alpine will be a concern for another day. Snowfall amounts will taper off for the start of the weekend. Watch for solar effects on steep sun exposed slopes if cloud cover clears off.
Weather Forecast
The Pacific system has lost some of its punch and we do not expect to see as much snow as had been in the previous forecasts. Winds however will keep moving the lose dry snow moving around onto lee aspects and forming new and thicker soft slabs. Temps will remain cool at higher elevations but there may be some concern for loose wet avalanche activity on steep solar aspects below treeline.
Avalanche Summary
A few Size 2 settlement slabs on steep solar aspects failing on the April 10 crust layer. A few loose wet slides to Size 1 on steep solar aspects below treeline.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate SW winds all day Friday resulted in redistribution of yesterdays storm snow onto lee slopes and gullies. Cool temps kept the snow at and above treeline dry and susceptible to winds.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.