Watch for an increasing avalanche danger as the day progresses. Watch for signs of instability in the storm snow.
Weather Forecast
10cm overnight and another 15cm expected in the next 24hrs. Ridge top winds were strong overnight and are forecast to moderate today then pick up again tonight shifting from SE today to SW tonight. Alpine temperatures should remain cool in the -10C to -13C range.
Snowpack Summary
10cm of storm snow overnight and another 15cm expected by Sunday morning. Moderate to strong winds from the NW overnight redistributed the snow onto alpine and treeline lee features. The new snow has buried a variety of old snow surfaces ranging from widespread windslab, to sun crust on steep solar aspects and surface hoar on sheltered open slopes.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity observed in the last 24hrs. However after last night's wind and continued snowfall we expect to see natural activity initiating out of extreme terrain today. Skiers and riders should expect sensitive storm slabs especially as they venture into more wind exposed terrain.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are 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.