Snowfall and wind early Friday built fresh reactive slabs.
A steady stream of snowfalls from the past two weeks has left plenty of unconsolidated snow in tracks and runouts for entrainment, if triggered expect avalanches to run far and fast.
Low density surface snow has created a dry loose avalanche problem in steep terrain. Be extra cautious in steep gullies and slopes with terrain traps at the bottom.
Thursday night's storm has built fresh slabs in exposed terrain. Use caution in areas where the upper snowpack has been stiffened by the wind.
On Friday, we received a report of a large (size 3.0) avalanche that was triggered on the west side of Bruins ridge and ran to the bottom of 8812 bowl, nearly affecting the Balu pass skin track.
There was a widespread cycle of natural avalanches, mostly size 2.5-3, in the Highway corridor overnight Thursday into early Friday morning.
On Wednesday, isolated natural avalanches were observed up to size 2 in steep, north facing terrain off Mt. Macdonald, triggered by wind loading. Skiers east of the summit reported several soft slabs reactive to skiers down 5 cm. And reports of loose dry sluffing up to sz 1.0.
Up to 20cm of new snow and moderate Southerly winds built fresh slabs in exposed areas on Friday. This overlies a variety of surfaces; including a weak crust on steep solar aspects; wind effected surfaces at treeline and in the alpine; and settled powder in sheltered areas.
The deep persistent weakness at the base of the snowpack (facets and a crust in some locations), has been showing signs of strengthening recently.
The weather remains unsettled between storms Saturday, with the next low pressure system arriving Sunday.
Tonight: Scattered flurries (up to 5cm). Alpine low -10°C. Light gusting to Moderate SW ridgetop winds.
Saturday: Mainly cloudy w/ isolated flurries. Alpine high -9°C. Light to moderate W winds.
Sunday: Snow (15-20 cm). Low -10°C, High -7°C. Moderate to strong SW winds.
Monday: Flurries (10-15cm). Low -11°C, High -7°C. Light W wind.
