Fresh wind slabs are expected to form throughout the day as a storm impacts the island. Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing and cracking as snow accumulates.
Strong winds are redistributing new snow into fresh wind slabs in lees. New wind slabs may not bond well to the crust and wind-affected surfaces below it.
No recent avalanches have been reported, but observations are limited this time of year.
If you head into the backcountry please submit a MIN report! They are extremely helpful to us in the early season when snowpack information is limited.
New snow will burry a variety of wind-affected surfaces and a surface crust that formed in open areas at treeline and below. Warm temperatures over the weekend have settled the fresh snow from last week.
80 to 100 cm of snow can be found in the alpine, with wind-loaded areas up to 150 cm. Every storm brings the snowpack closer to the threshold for avalanches, however some areas at treeline and most areas below treeline have yet to overcome ground roughness.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy. Light northwest winds with a low of -5 in the alpine. Freezing levels 600 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with flurries increasing in intensity in the evening as the storm impacts the island. 10-15 mm expected throughout the day. Strong southerly winds and an alpine temperature high -1. Freezing levels rise to 900m.
Thursday
10-20 mm expected through Wednesday night. Up to 50 mm on the west side of the island near 5040 Peak. By morning heavy precip has moved south of the island leaving isolated flurries. Moderate southwesterly ridgetop winds. Alpine temperature is a high of -5 and freezing levels 900m.
Friday
Cloudy with isolated flurries. Light gusting moderate southerly winds. Alpine temperature is a high of -3 and a low of -6. Freezing levels 900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
