Avalanche Forecast

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

A pacific moisture stream will intensify throughout Sunday and then ease slightly on Monday. Although there is some model disagreement in regards to snowfall amounts, up to 10cm can be expected on Sunday, with another 5cm possible on Monday. A mix of sun and cloud is forecast for Tuesday. Winds are expected to remain strong to extreme from the west/southwest. Freezing levels may spike to 1500m on Sunday, and then hover between 500m and 1000m on Monday and Tuesday.

There have been no new reports of avalanche activity, although this may speak more to a lack of observations rather than actual conditions. I'm sure there was some recent wind slab activity in response to new snow and wind prior to the weekend. With more snow and wind forecast for Sunday and Monday, I would expect further wind slab activity, especially in areas to the west which are forecast to receive more snow.

New snow and strong SW winds have likely built reactive wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. More snow and wind on Sunday will add to the developing wind slab problem. These overlie a variety of interfaces including older wind slabs, a sun crust, an old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Keep an eye out for cornices that could fail.