The snow we are receiving is breathing new life into the ski conditions, but is adding to the load on the weak interface formed during the New Years drought which will likely be slow to stabilize.
Weather Forecast
A low pressure system affecting the coast is pushing a series of weakening fronts inland. These will produce cloudy conditions with snow flurries through the weekend. Snowfall accumulations of up to 10cm is expected. Temperatures will be -12 Saturday morning and rising to just below 0 by Monday. Winds will be moderate to strong from the W-SW.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30cm of new snow has fallen since January 4th. This overlies: a melt-freeze crust in areas previously scoured be moderate to strong SW winds, surface hoar up to 6mm in size in locations sheltered from NW winds, and old surface facets. The middle and lower snowpack are well settled and currently giving no notable shears.
Avalanche Summary
An isolated size 1.5 natural avalanche was observed from a SE aspect below treeline. Ski cutting today produced several loose dry avalanches up to size 1.0.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
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 Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.