Be patient and choose mellow terrain. The new snow needs time to settle, and early season hazards are still lurking below the surface.
A large amount of snow recently fell on a thin, early season snowpack. The snowpack is still adjusting to this rapid change. Use extra caution on slopes where previous snowfall had smoothed out rough ground surfaces.
It is likely that a natural avalanche cycle occurred during the heaviest part of Friday night's storm. On Sunday, natural avalanche activity should taper off, but human triggered avalanches are still likely on slopes that are above threshold.
So far this season no avalanches have been reported on the Island.
Please consider filling out a MIN report if you are out in the backcountry.
30-60 cm of new snow has introduced rapid change to the thin, early season snowpack. In the alpine and upper treeline, rider triggerable storm slabs could exist on slopes that are above threshold. Strong to Extreme Southwest winds will likely be stripping snow from exposed ridgelines.
Under the new snow, you'll likely find a variety of early season surfaces, including crusts and 5-15 cm of recent snow. Before this storm, snowpack height at treeline ranged from 25-50 cm. Deeper pockets of snow can be found in areas that have been wind loaded like gullies and sheltered slopes below ridgelines. Below treeline was mostly snow free before this storm.
Saturday Night
Cloudy. 5 cm of snow expected. Up to 10 cm on the west side of the island. Extreme Southwest ridgetop wind. freezing level around 1100 m.
Sunday
Cloudy. 5-10 cm of snow expected at high elevations, moderate rain at lower elevations. Strong southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1500 m, rising to 2000 m on the south half of the island in the morning during the heaviest precipitation, and falling back down to 1200 m in the afternoon.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. Light to moderate rain, heavy on the west and possibly south island. Strong to Extreme south or southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 3000 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. Light to moderate rain, heavy on the west and south island, but easing off through the day. Strong southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
