Choose small, low consequence slopes.
This next pulse of precipitation may be enough to tip the scales and result in the early December surface hoar becoming easily rider triggered.
New snow and wind will likely form reactive slabs throughout the day.
These new slabs may step down or initially release on the surface hoar layer from early December described in the snowpack summary.
Over the past 2 days avalanche activity has been primarily explosive controlled. These avalanches have been up to size 2.5 and generally on north and east aspects.
We expect avalanche activity to increase throughout the day on Sunday with the arrival of the forecast weather.
By the end of the day on December 14th up to 25 cm of new snow may have fallen. This will be accompanied by moderate to strong southerly wind forming larger deposits on northerly aspects. In sheltered terrain this new snow could overlie surface hoar.
Another layer of surface hoar can be found down 30 to 60 cm. At lower elevations or on steep south facing slopes a crust may be present at this interface instead of surface hoar.
The remainder of the snowpack is strong without any deeper concerns at this time.
Friday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow expected . 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with 15 cm of snow expected. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.
Sunday
Cloudy in the morning and clearing in the afternoon. Up to 5 cm of snow expected by early morning. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7°C.
Monday
Cloudy with around 5 cm of snow expected. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
