Recent new snow and northwest winds have developed isolated wind slabs at treeline and above. As you transition into open terrain, look for signs of instability, like shooting cracks.
Northeast winds may redistribute recent new snow into wind slabs at treeline and above. These wind slabs are most likely to be found directly lee of high points and ridge features.
Even small windows of sun may be enough to trigger small wet loose avalanches.
Several small explosive-triggered wind slabs and size 1 to 1.5 wet loose from steep solars.
On Thursday, a few size 1 skier-triggered wind slab avalanches were reported in the Golden area.
Even short windows of sun coupled with rising freezing levels may initiate wet, loose avalanches on steep solar-facing slopes.
Isolated flurries have accumulated 20 to 25 cm of new snow that remains dry on non-solar slopes, and is settling and could become moist on steep south facing. This new snow overlies a crust on all aspects and elevations that are more robust on solar-facing slopes.
A widespread crust with facets above is down 60 to 110 cm. This layer is unlikely to human trigger in areas where a thick crust above the weak layer is present.
Friday Night
Cloudy with isolated flurries, 1 to 2 cm. 5 to 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3° C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Saturday
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, 2 to 4 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2° C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Sunday
Partly cloudy. 10 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1° C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Monday
Partly cloudy with trace accumulations, 10 to 15 km/h southwest winds. Treeline temperatures -2° C. Freezing levels 2000 m.
Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
