This bulletin is based on limited data. Local variations in conditions are likely to exist. Check out the
Forecasters Blog for further details on interpreting early season bulletins.
Weather Forecast
The weather is doing a shift from a fairly active pattern to a more benign pattern through the forecast period. A cooler, dryer NW flow will be entering the mountains with patches of lower level clouds and sunny periods in the alpine. Freezing levels will stay near valley bottom, rising to 1200 m in the afternoons. Ridgetop winds will generally be light from the NW, switching to a Westerly flow on Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
The previous storm has formed new storm slabs which may have buried existing wind slabs. Storm slabs may be touchy and easy to trigger and may take a couple days before they settle out. Ridgetop winds will be switching from the NW through the weekend. This may form wind slabs on other slopes that may surprise you. A crust is found at lower elevations under this past weeks snow accumulations, I have no information in regards to how the snowpack is bonding to this crust, and what is happening below the crust. I do know that it exists near the bottom of the pack. This crust has been responsible for avalanches in adjacent regions, so I suggest you keep it in the back of your mind while traveling. Dig down, do some detective, and see how the snowpack is reacting in your neck of the woods.