The incoming storm will bring heavy snowfall and strong winds. Widespread avalanche activity is expected. Avoid avalanche terrain.
A couple of weak layers formed in late November and early December are now sitting about 1 m plus below the surface. This layer may present as surface hoar, a crust, facets or a combination of those, depending on elevation and aspect.
Intense loading from heavy snow and strong winds will mean that an avalanche cycle is almost certain. Avoid avalanche terrain, and don't underestimate the potential for avalanches to run full path.
THURSDAY NIGHT - Periods of snow, 10-20 cm / southwest wind, 30-60 km/h / alpine low temperature near -9
FRIDAY - Periods of snow, 15-20 cm / southwest wind, 40-80 km/h / alpine high temperature near -5 / freezing level 1200 m
SATURDAY - Periods of snow 10-20 cm / southwest wind, 30-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near -5 / freezing level 1000 m
SUNDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / southeast wind, 10-20km/h / alpine high temperature near -8
A widespread natural avalanche cycle is expected on Friday due to heavy snowfall, warm temperatures and strong to extreme winds.
Preliminary reports from Thursday suggest that an avalanche cycle was ongoing with reports of natural, explosives and human triggered avalanches up to size 2.5.
Previous heavy snowfall resulted in an avalanche cycle on Tuesday and Wednesday. Numerous natural and human triggered avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported.
An intense winter storm is under way in the North Columbia's with up to 20 cm on Thursday night and another 15-20 cm forecast during the day on Friday. This will bring total recent snow amounts to 60-80 cm by Friday afternoon.
80-120 cm of snow now sits above a widespread layer of large, feathery surface hoar crystals. With snow continuing to accumulate and consolidate above this layer over the next few days, a high likelihood of human-triggering exists.
A weak layer formed in late November is now buried around 1 m plus below the surface. This is the layer of concern relating to the persistent slab avalanche problem. The weak layer may present as surface hoar, a crust, facets or a combination, depending on elevation and aspect. Below this, a variety of crusts from late October are buried deeper in the snowpack..
