Watch for variable wind slab in exposed terrain at and above treeline. Use caution in steeper wind loaded terrain.
Weather Forecast
Alpine temperatures should reach a balmy -14C today accompanied by light to moderate westerly winds. A dusting of new snow is expected today before cooler temperatures and clearing sky invades to start the work week.
Snowpack Summary
Cold temperatures are promoting faceting in surface layers slowly softening the widespread hard slabs found in exposed terrain. The recent light precipitation will also aid in this regard. The mid-pack is well settled and sits on a developing facet layer above the Nov 13 crust. Test results on this layer range from resistant planar to no result.
Avalanche Summary
Limited natural activity in the highway corridor with 3 size 2 slabs observed. No new avalanches reported in the backcountry yesterday.
Confidence
Wind speed and direction 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.