Wind slabs have developed as the wind continues to transport low-density snow. Seek sheltered areas where the snow has not been wind-affected.
Early season hazards continue to pose a threat and are lurking just below the surface.
The wind is beginning to transport the snow that fell Tuesday night. The new snow will be sitting on a variety of surfaces that do not typically allow for strong bonding.
A few small loose dry avalanches have been reported in the region. These have mostly been in the alpine and treeline elevations. If you head into the backcountry consider submitting a MIN report.
At around 1750 m the snowpack sits at 110 to 170 cm. The top layer of light snow ranges between 20 to 80 cm with greater amounts towards the west. This new snow is sitting on a melt-freeze crust. Further down into the snowpack, 80 to 90 cm, there is a series of crust layers. The bond between these layers and the snow beneath them has been weak to moderate in strength. Near the ground, the snow is not bonding well due to early-season cold temperatures and shallow snow.
Terrain features still lurk below the surface. Below treeline and even into treeline elevations are still at below the threshold for avalanches.
Thursday Night
Cloudy with clear periods, no cm accumulation, winds northwest 10 km/h, temperatures -15 to -20 C at 1500 m.
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods, no accumulation, winds southwest light gusting to 30 km/h, temperatures -10 C at 1500 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy, 5 cm accumulation, winds northeast 15 km/h, temperatures -10 C with a temperature inversion and -5 C at 2000 m.
Sunday
Sunny with cloudy periods, no accumulation, winds northeast 10 to 20 km/h, temperatures -10 C at 1000 m and 0 to -5 C at 2000 m due to the temperature inversion.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
