A natural avalanche cycle is expected Friday, and all that low density snow we've been enjoying lately is now available for entrainment. Expect avalanches to run far and fast, picking up mass as they go.
Expect loose snow avalanches in steep sheltered terrain. With lots of unsettled snow in the upper snowpack these could entrain significant mass.
The new storm snow overlies a previous cold and facetted upper snowpack. Expect avalanche activity to peak on Friday.
A Pacific system hitting the South Coast is driving a juicy SW flow.
Tonight: Snow (15cm). Alpine Low -13*C Moderate South ridge wind.
Friday: Snow (15cm). Alpine High -5*C. Mod gusting strong S-SW wind.
Saturday: Flurries (5cm). Low -16*C, High -7*C. Strong SW wind.
Sunday: Flurries (5cm), Sunny periods in the PM. Low -7*C, High -6*C. Strong W wind.
15cm at publishing time, with up to 45cm of fresh storm snow forecast by Friday evening. The new snow, with warming temps and strong gusty wind, will build fresh slabs quickly over the cold snow below. The Dec 1 crust (now buried 90-150cm), has not been reactive lately despite having faceted snow above and below it (especially in shallow areas).
Moderate snowfall, warming temps and strong winds are expected to produce natural avalanche activity overnight and through out the day Friday.
No new avalanches were observed (visibility was poor) or detected on Thursday.
