Carefully assess the amount of new snow throughout the day. Consider the hazard to be high if more than 30cm is observed. Forecasted snowfall amounts vary greatly across the Island.
New wind slabs will form throughout the day on friday at treeline and above Some wind slabs could also be found in exposed features in the upper extend of the below treeline area.
In areas that see greater than 20cm of new snow storm slabs will likely form. This is very likely in the terrain around 5040 Peak. forecasted precipitation will likely fall as rain below treeline but some terrain near the upper extend of the below treeline elevation band may experience snow.
Thursday night: stormy weather with light precipitation and moderate west winds gusting to strong. Freezing level around 1200m.
Friday: stormy weather with light to heavy precipitation. Precipitation amounts vary greatly throughout the island. Mt Washington will likely only see 5cm, 5040 Peak could see as much as 50cm. Freezing levels will likely rise to 1500m. Winds will be strong from the west.
Saturday: no new snow expected. Moderate northwest winds in the morning shifting to southwest in the afternoon with freezing levels around 1500m.
Sunday: No new snow expected. Moderate to strong winds from the southwest and freezing levels around 1100m.
Since Sunday's storm, there have been several reports of small dry loose sluffs in steep terrain (see this MIN report from Mt Allan Brooks). Several storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were also reported on Sunday.
The storm on Friday will form new storm and wind slabs at treeline and above. A crust can be found down 20 to 40cm that extends to mountain tops.
Terrain below treeline will experience rain and warm temperatures saturating the snow surface.
The mid and lower snow pack is well settled but shallow at low elevations leaving many hazards just below the surface.
