Avoid avalanche terrain. New snow and wind will likely result in a natural avalanche cycle.
New snow and wind will form reactive storm slabs with the largest being found on west through east aspects due to strong to extreme southerly winds. Strong winds mean that slabs may be found further down slope than expected.
At lower elevations, where precipitation is more likely to fall as rain, wet loose avalanches are likely. Avoid steep terrain where even small avalanches can have serious consequences.
On Friday natural wet loose and storm slab activity was observed up to size two. Check out this MIN for some good details.
We suspect that larger and more reactive storm slabs will be found on Sunday.
On Sunday another 20 to 40 cm of storm snow will bring recent totals to around 60 cm. This storm snow will be accompanied by strong to extreme southerly winds stripping windward slopes and forming wind slabs on lee and cross loaded features. At lower elevations precipitation will fall on an already moist snowpack.
A crust can be found below recent storm snow on solar aspects and all aspects treeline and below.
Saturday Night
Stormy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow expected. Strong to extreme southerly winds and freezing levels falling to 1500 m.
Sunday
Stormy with up to 40 cm of new snow expected. Strong to extreme southerly winds and freezing levels rising to 1700 m with the snowline around 1000 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing up to 10 cm of new snow. Moderate southerly winds and freezing levels rising to 1500 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with up to 15 cm of new snow possible. Moderate southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 1400 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
