While wind loaded pockets remain the #1 concern, pay close attention the effects to the strong spring sun. Plan on avoiding steep solar terrain this afternoon.
Weather Forecast
Expect cloudy skies with sunny periods today. No significant precip is forecast but isolated convective flurries could produce localized snow squalls. It'll be a colder day today with alpine highs near -9 & freezing levels rising to 1100m. Ridge winds will be SW 20 gusting 45 km/hr. A pacific system will bring 20-30cm Mon-Tues along with warm temps
Snowpack Summary
Cool temps have prevented the surface crust below treeline from breaking down. Approximately 20cm of new snow in the past 48hrs has softened up the skiing at all elevations. Wind slabs exist above treeline and are reactive to skiers. Watch for a buried crust on steep solar aspects and isolated patches of surface hoar, both down 20-40cm.
Avalanche Summary
Cool temps have limited the natural activity however, a sz 3 cornice release was observed which put debris all over the fan. Yesterday we received report of an accidently triggered avalanche in the Ravens area of the Asulkan Valley. This was a fresh windslab over suncrust in a mid slope cross loaded feature. It ran for 350m & injured the skier.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system 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.