Watch for wind-loaded pockets in the alpine. Ice climbers may experience loose snow rotting out at lower elevations.
Weather Forecast
The Arctic High moves in on Friday bring sunny and cold weather through Saturday. Winds will be light to moderate from the north.
Snowpack Summary
The most significant layer in the snowpack is the Dec15 layer which is buried by 25-40cm of low density storm snow. This weak layer consists of of surface hoar (at tree-line and below), sun crust or facets (depending on location). Mod shears have been observed on this interface. Thin wind-slabs have been reported in isolated areas in the alpine.
Avalanche Summary
No natural avalanches observed or reported in past 24 hours. Potential for loose dry avalanches exist out of steep terrain
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.
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.