Keep an eye out for signs of instability and continually assess conditions as you move through terrain.
Storm slabs have the potential for wide propagation due to buried weak layers.
Rider triggerable storm slabs may still be found at higher elevations. Deposits are likely to be deeper and more reactive on lee slopes.
Be aware of the potential for wide propagation due to buried weak layers.
On Thursday, a skier triggered size 2 persistent slab avalanche was reported. This avalanche was on an east aspect at 2100 m. It released on the layer of surface hoar mentioned in the snowpack summary.
No other new avalanches have been reported, but observations have been limited. We expect reactive deposits of new snow will exist, particularly at upper elevations.
Up to 15 cm of new snow may have fallen by the end of the day on the 22nd. Strong southerly winds are expected to form deeper deposits on north-facing slopes.
A crust or moist snow will be observed on the surface at lower elevations.
30 to 60 cm of snow overlies a crust on south aspects and all aspects below 1800 m from early December. A layer of surface hoar could be found just above this layer in sheltered terrain at treeline.
Snow depths at treeline are around 90 to 140 cm. You can check out a snowpack conditions update here.
Saturday NightCloudy with up to 2 cm of snow. 25 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with 1 to 5 mm of precipitation, falling as snow above 1000 m. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1500 m.
Monday
A mix of cloud and clear skies with up to 5 mm of mixed precipitation. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
TuesdayCloudy with up to 5 mm of mixed precipitation. 50 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
