15-25cm recent new snow. If the forecasted strong SW winds arrive overnight we can expect windslabs to quickly build and the danger push into Considerable in Alpine areas. Keep an eve on overhead terrain and local weather.
Confidence
Moderate - Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Friday
Weather Forecast
The snow will taper off overnight giving us a mix of sun and cloud on Friday. Winds are forecast to increase overnight into the moderate to strong range so we can expect windslabs to rapidly build if the forecaster winds arrive. Temperatures will be around -8C.
Avalanche Summary
A few natural avalanches were observed on N aspects in Alpine terrain. These slides were sz 1.5-2 and were likely fresh windslabs that had been newly building along ridgelines in Alpine areas. They occurred on N aspects but ran far down into treeline areas. A few loose dry slides were also observed
Snowpack Summary
15-25cm of new storm snow over the past 36hrs that fell with only light winds (15cm at Highwood and 25cm at Smith Dorried). Throughout the day winds began to increase out of the SW and windslabs were observed building in Alpine areas. Easy sheers within the HST and a Moderate RP was being observed below the 1031 crust. Still lots of variability of snowpack depths.
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.