Good skiing on sheltered N & E aspects today. A caution for daytime warming effect on cornices and steep solar aspects. If Saturdays forecast snow amounts are higher than expected the Avalanche Hazard may rise to Considerable at tree line and above.
Weather Forecast
A mix of sun and cloud with mild temperatures is expected for Friday. Saturday a cold front is expected to bring light to moderate precipitation and gusty NW winds with cooling temperatures. Sunday may see some light flurries and a continued NW air flow over the region.
Snowpack Summary
A trace of new snow overnight. Sun crust forming on steep solar aspects. Wind effect in open areas at tree line and above. Wind slabs forming near ridge crests with moderate NW winds. Otherwise a well settled snowpack with few weaknesses.
Avalanche Summary
Only a couple of cornice triggered sluffs have been observed out of extreme terrain in the last couple days. Recent wind slabs seem to be bonding well to the underlying surfaces but may be susceptible to skier triggering in very steep or unsupported terrain.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday
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.