Gunnison

Avalanche conditions are generally safe.  You could encounter a small drift of new snow on leeward terrain features at upper elevations.  Snowfall and gusty northwest winds on Friday afternoon may further form drifted slabs above treeline before sunset.  Finding 6 inches or more of new or wind-blown snow is an indicator of a modest increase in avalanche hazard.  Triggered avalanches could be a problem if you were knocked down and fall above extreme terrain. 

Several days of unsettled weather have not produced much in the way of new snowfall.  Alpine terrain in the Northwest Mountains accumulated a paltry 3 inches since Wednesday.  Gusty westerly winds have blown the snow around, but with such little snow available for transport, any freshly formed slabs should be small in size and isolated in distribution.  Use caution if you enter extreme terrain as small avalanches can have serious consequences above cliffs or rocks.  Look for small, isolated pockets of drifted snow below ridgelines, under neath cornices, or tucked behind terrain breaks.

As snowfall ramps up Friday afternoon expect Wind Slab formation to begin increasing in distribution and size.  Weather models suggest that an increase in avalanche hazard will occur after sunset Friday and into Saturday.  There is a small chance for drifted alpine terrain to flirt with a MODERATE danger rating before sunset Friday.  Models have been in disagreement with exactly how much snow accumulates by Saturday morning.  Some models suggest that areas in the Northwest Mountains may exceed a foot of snow by sunrise Saturday.  Be sure to check the avalanche forecast on Saturday morning to see how the incoming storm evolves.