The avalanche danger is MODERATE at the upper elevations and on mid elevation slopes facing west, north, and east. There is a LOW avalanche danger at low elevations. The two avalanche concerns for today are (1) sluffing in the storm snow, and (2) sensitive soft slabs of storm snow or wind-drifted snow.
Watch for quickly changing conditions if you encounter wind drifting or during any period of high precipitation intensity.
We have enjoyed a generally low avalanche danger for the past three weeks, but if weather forecasts verify, conditions are going to become dangerous and it's now necessary to develop a mindset of beginning to step back.
The new snow will not bond to the old snow surface and I'm only expecting widespread sluffing in the new snow in steeper terrain today. However, snowfall rates are forecast to increase early this afternoon, and any period of high precipitation intensity (PI) will quickly create a more cohesive soft slab of storm snow which will be reactive.
Winds from the northwest will quickly and easily transport the low-density snow into shallow soft slabs of wind-drifted snow. Any fresh wind drifts will be 4-8" deep and sensitive as they are forming on top of weaker snow underneath.
Watch for cracking in fresh wind drifts as an indication of instability.
UAC forecaster colleague Nikki Champion said it perfectly in a text message Thursday evening: "If it's not dirt, it's facets". In other words, except due south, any pre-existing snow is weak. Storm snow and wind-drifted snow will be deposited on top of weak, faceted snow and surface hoar. A UAC forecasting team went to the Ant Knolls on Thursday and the measly 1" of new snow sheared cleanly and easily at its interface with the weak snow at the old snow surface.
Expect an increasing avalanche danger as we add more snow on top of this buried persistent weak layer.
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There wasn't enough new snow or wind-drifting to affect avalanche danger on Thursday, but observations indicated the widespread weak snow at the old snow surface was preserved underneath the few inches of new snow.
Read recent observations from the backcountry HERE
As of 5 am, 1-2" of snow (yes, snow!) has fallen since Thursday. Temperatures are 10-15° F. and winds are from the west/northwest and have been light, gusting into the teens along exposed ridges at the mid and upper elevations. 11,000' wind speeds are gusting into the 30's - with a few hours of gusts in the 40's mph overnight.
Today: Snow will begin this morning and possibly become heavy during the afternoon, with 2-4" expected by 6 pm. Winds will be from the northwest, gusting 15-25 mph at mid-elevations and 40-50 mph at the upper elevations. Temperatures will be in the teens F.
This Weekend: A break in snowfall overnight and into Saturday, with snow picking up Saturday night into Sunday, with totals possibly exceeding a foot. Snowfall is expected during much of this upcoming week.
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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
