Observations are limited and early-season hazards are abundant.
Take a conservative approach and watch for signs of instability as you travel through terrain.
Recent storm snow and southerly winds have formed a slab that may overlie a weak layer of facets, crust and/or surface hoar. Avoid areas where the snow surface feels stiff or slabby.
On Thursday, a few small human-triggered wind slab avalanches were reported in alpine terrain.
Looking forward, storm slabs may remain reactive to human triggering for longer than is typical due to the weak layer they may be sitting on. Be especially cautious in wind-loaded terrain.
If you get out in the backcountry, please consider posting a MIN (Mountain Information Network).
20 to 30 cm of new snow arrived on Wednesday night accompanied by moderate southerly winds. Below 2100 m, a thin crust may exist under the new snow.
A weak layer consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar is buried 30 to 70 cm below the surface. Observations are limited at this time of year and the geographical extent of this weak layer is still uncertain.
Treeline snowpack depth is around 120 to 160 cm.
Friday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow expected. 15 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow expected. 5 to 15 km/h west ridge top winds. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
Mainly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow expected. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow expected. 15 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
