West Slopes South

Increasing wind speeds may drift snow into small and isolated slabs at the middle and upper elevations. Steer around fresh drifts on steep and consequential slopes if blowing snow is visible. If you happen to see active rollerballs or you are sinking in past your boot tops into wet snow, stay off of and out from under steep slopes. 

Though the avalanche danger will be low for most of the day, it could increase in the afternoon if precipitation arrives a bit sooner than expected.

We are in for a change as winter weather moves back in to the forecast area, though most potential new avalanche impacts won't be felt until Monday. The biggest thing you will notice from the incoming storm during the day on Sunday is the increasing wind speeds, though some precipitation may begin to fall later in the afternoon. There really isn't much snow available to erode off windward slopes, so any new slabs should be small until more snow falls from the sky. Your eyeballs will clue you into fresh slab formation so if you see blowing snow, expect that slabs are forming wherever it lands. The primary danger will be if an isolated slab knocks you off your feet above rocks, cliffs, or trees, so consider the consequences before committing to a slope with a fresh wind drift. 

Clear skies tonight should allow for a good refreeze of the snow surface on slopes that face the sun, limiting any wet avalanche potential on Sunday. Though unlikely, shaded slopes holding soft snow could shed a blob or two with another relatively warm day. Regardless of aspect, as always, if you see rollerballs or sink in past your boot tops into wet snow, stay off of and out from under steep slopes. The morning sun may soften some frozen surfaces on east and south-facing slopes just a bit, but with clouds rolling in and increasing wind speeds, surfaces that start the day firm will likely stay that way. Don't underestimate the long sliding fall potential and consider bringing crampons and an ice axe if your travel plans take you on a steep slope on the southern half of the compass.

General Conditions:

Snow and avalanche professionals in the West South reported frozen crusts in the morning on slopes facing the sun, which softened into corn in the afternoon. No obvious signs of instability, slab or wet loose were noted. Lower-angle north-facing slopes may now have a subtle crust as well.  Some wind transport was observed, and many slopes featured a thin wind crust or wind board.  On north-facing sheltered slopes, you may still find between 1-9 inches of soft snow over a stout crust, depending on elevation and location in the zone. Isolated wind-loaded pockets could be deeper. Some surface hoar has been observed in recent days.