Reactive storm slabs are building at treeline and above.
Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of rapid loading from new snow or rain.
40 to 70 cm of new storm snow may accumulate at treeline and above by Friday afternoon. Expect to find deeper deposits from wind on northerly slopes.
Wet loose avalanches are possible where precipitation falls as rain or the upper snowpack is moist or wet.
Reports have been very limited during the stormy period. Several wet loose avalanches have been reported acorss the region generally in the small (size 1-1.5) range.
We expect with further heavy snowfall accumulating overnight and through Friday at upper elevations, that storm slabs will be reactive.
Recent rain and warming to mountaintop has saturated the upper snowpack and will likely form a crust as freezing levels drop and new snow falls overtop. 40 to 70 cm of new snow is expected overnight and through Friday, with the highest precipitation forecast for the central region. (The hazard may only be considerable in areas that receive accumulations of 40 cm or less). These conditions will build reactive new storm slabs at upper elevations. Expect deeper and more reactive deposits on northerly slopes due to forecast strong southerly wind. Lower elevations will have a moist or wet snowpack.
Thursday Night
Cloudy, with 10 to 20 cm of snow above 1500 m, potential rain below. Highest amounts for the North Shore. 35 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level around 1500 m.
Friday
Cloudy with 30 to 50 cm of snow above 1000 m, potential rain below. Highest amounts for the North Shore. 40 to 50 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 10 to 25 cm of snow above 1200 m, potential rain below. 35 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 25 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
