The new storm snow will be inviting but temper your desire to jump into the steep and deep until it has had a chance to stabilize.
Weather Forecast
Temperatures will cool into the weekend with flurries producing another 10 cm by Sunday. Westerly winds will drop and swing northerly as the cool air invades.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30 cm in south, less in the north fell on Thursday with moderate SW winds building touchy storm slab on lee slopes at tree line and above. Moderate rain below tree line along with above freezing temperatures have created a moist snowpack made up of the large facet crystals.
Avalanche Summary
A loose snow avalanche cycle to size 2 occurred on Thursday on all aspects and elevations in steep terrain. Moist snow avalanches below tree line triggered by moderate rain. Very limited alpine observations due to obscured skies.
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations on Friday
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 Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.