Incoming snow and wind will create fresh wind slabs and add load to the deep persistent problem. Step back and monitor how the snowpack adjusts to the change on Monday.
Some new snow (~10CM) and increasing wind with variable direction will likely produce wind slabs in the alpine by Monday morning.
The basal facets, as well as mid-pack facets and crusts, remain a significant concern. Many large avalanches in the recent cycle tell forecasters that this problem will be here until the end of the season.
No avalanches were observed or reported today. Natural avalanche activity has slowed but we are still able to trigger large avalanches with explosives.
Recent storm snow has settled to 20-30 cm above 2300 m. The storm snow sits over buried sun crusts that are present to ridge crests, and faceted layers on shady aspects. Multiple buried crusts are present in the top 50-70 cm on solar aspects. The basal depth hoar is present at the bottom of the snowpack and remains facetted and weak. Low elevations have a temperature crust on all aspects.
Snow will start Sunday evening and up to 10cm could arrive by Monday. Temperatures will decrease Monday with the valley remaining around zero degrees and -10 in the alpine. Wind will pick up into the strong range in the early hours of Monday.
