Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for reactive wind slabs, especially in the alpine.
The new load may be the tipping point for deeper instabilities and bigger avalanches.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs. Changing winds may leave stiffer and deeper deposits of snow on many aspects. They may be primed for human triggering in the alpine.
A widespread crust with weak facets overtop is buried 40-100 cm deep. While this layer exists on all aspects, it's most likely to be triggered by a heavy load on wind-loaded slopes.
On Wednesday, several (size 2 to 2.5) natural wind slabs were reported. Changing winds and new snow may build fresh and reactive wind slabs on many aspects Friday.
Up to 20 cm of snow fell by Thursday. Strong southwest winds will likely redistribute the storm snow onto leeward slopes building thicker slabs on lee slopes. The new snow may have a poor bond to south-facing slopes and areas below 1200–1300 m where it sits on a crust.
A persistent weak layer composed of facets overlying a crust is buried 40 to 100 cm deep and may be reactive with the new load from snow and wind.
Thursday Night
Cloudy with light flurries. 30 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C. Freezing level drops to the valley bottom.
Friday
Sunny. 30 gusting to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Saturday
Sunny with some cloud. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud. 25 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
