Storm slabs at upper elevations have been reactive, especially in wind-loaded areas.
Verify conditions as you travel and back off if you notice signs of instability.
Storm slabs of varying depths may remain reactive to human-triggers on Friday. The will be most reactive in wind-loaded areas or where they overlie a surface hoar layer.
Numerous size 1 to 2 storm slab avalanches were reported in the Lizard Range over the past three days. Several were naturally triggered, and a few were caused by explosive control. They generally occurred in the alpine on wind-loaded northerly through easterly slopes.
Looking forward, we expect storm slabs to remain triggerable on Friday, especially in wind-loaded areas and where they overlie surface hoar.
10 cm of new snow from Wednesday night has increased the load on older storm slabs that developed over the past several days. These slabs may require additional time to settle and bond. Recent strong southwesterly winds have created deeper and more reactive slabs on leeward aspects near ridgetops.
A spotty surface hoar layer can be found in sheltered terrain features buried 40 to 60 cm. This layer could be a concern in isolated areas. In other areas, a melt-freeze crust can be found at similar burial depths up to around 2000 m.
The mid and lower snowpack currently has no layers of concern, and is characterized by multiple crusts, with moist snow persisting near the base.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Friday
Cloudy. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level around 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
