High winds will lead to loading in unusual areas, be on the lookout for loading lower than usual in the start zones.
Weather Forecast
A series storms currently affecting the south coast will push their way inland to varying degrees, bringing light to moderate snowfall/rain, with freezing levels rising through the weekend to as high as 1700m. This will be accompanied by continued strong south westerly winds.
Snowpack Summary
2 cm of new snow mixed with periods of rain has moistened the snowpack at little prairie (1650m). We suspect up to 10 cm has fallen in the alpine. Moderate to strong south west winds at ridgetop are building fresh windslabs in sheltered lee locations and scouring exposed areas back down to the November 17th melt freeze crust.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
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.