The incoming storm is expected to bring along strong to extreme winds from the west/southwest.
Cautious route-finding & conservative terrain choices will be key to manage the storm slab.
A fresh storm slab sits on a variety of good sliding surfaces. This problem will be more likely triggered on wind loaded lee slopes from strong to extreme winds. Avalanches could step down to deeper layers.
No new avalanches were observed on Friday.
Natural slab avalanches as big as size 2.5 were observed Thursday from the steep north facing terrain of Mt. Macdonald & Mt. Green.
On Wednesday, a field team triggered loose, moist avalanches below tree-line in steep, unsupported terrain.
Isolated natural activity was observed along the highway corridor Monday/Tuesday this week. Avalanches were dry, loose sluffs from steep terrain.
A thin surface crust exists below tree-line & warm temps are settling 20 cm of new snow into a slab, which overlies a spring like surface. This includes soft snow in protected terrain on polar aspects, breakable crust on steep solar aspects, and wind slab in exposed terrain at ridge top.
A strong crust (widespread below 2500m) is down 50cm.
The mid to lower snowpack continues to round - except in isolated areas of the alpine where an unusually thin & faceted snowpack exists.
A cold front approaches bringing snow and strong to extreme winds. As the storm passes, temps will drop.
Tonight: 7cm, Alp low -6°C, Strong to Extreme West wind, FZ Lvl: 1100m
Sat: 10cm, Alp high -5°C, Strong to Extreme West wind, FZ Lvl: 1400m
Sun: 23cm, Alp high -4°C,, Strong SW wind gusting to 115km/hr, FZ Lvl: 1300m
Mon: Trace precip, Alp Low -18°C, Moderate SW wind gusting to Strong, FZ Lvl: Valley Bottom
