The windslab hazard exists. Adjust your terrain choices and travel plans when you encounter wind-loaded pockets around ridgecrests and in extreme terrain.
Up to 30 cm of recent snowfall was accompanied by strong southwest winds, forming wind slabs in the alpine. Winds have shifted to the east and may form fresh wind slabs in an atypical, reverse-loading pattern.
On Thursday a large (size 2) natural avalanche occurred in the alpine on a north aspect. This avalanche crown was 100 cm in depth and is likely the early February persistent slab problem.
Previous days avalanche activity has been limited to wet loose activity (size 1-1.5) at lower elevations and on solar aspects.
Looking forward to the weekend, the main concern will be the potential for small (size 1) wind slabs in alpine and treeline terrain.
A crust has formed on the surface, possibly as high as 2500 m. 10-20 cm of new snow may be on the surface at high elevations.
In general, 20 to 40 cm of settling snow sits on surface hoar crystals that were buried in late March. Under that is a melt-freeze crust on all aspects and elevations other than north-facing alpine.
Weak faceted grains above a hard crust formed in early February are now buried 100 to 150 cm deep. This layer is generally getting stronger, and in most places it is shielded by crusts above, but it is still occasionally producing large avalanches.
Friday Night
Cloudy with light flurries, up to 5 cm accumulation. Ridge wind 15 to 30 km/h from the northeast. Treeline temperature drops to -6 °C. Freezing level drops to 1000 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with clear periods and flurries, up to 5 cm accumulation. Ridge wind 10 to 30 km/h from the east. Treeline temperatures reach a high of -2 °C. Freezing level rises to 1700 m.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind 15 to 30 km/h from the southwest. Treeline temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Freezing level rises to 1900 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind 15 to 30 km/h from the southwest. Treeline temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Freezing level rises to 1900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
