The ongoing snowfall is expected to build new storm slabs, especially in terrain impacted by the wind. Continue to make conservative terrain choices and given the new snow time to stabilize.
Ongoing snowfall on Wednesday will continue build storm slabs. Strong winds will increase the reactivity of slabs in exposed terrain.
On Sunday and Monday, numerous wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed in the alpine and at treeline, primarily on north aspects. A few storm slab avalanches were also observed on Monday at lower elevations, likely triggered by the rain and warming. Two glide slab avalanches were also observed, triggered by the rain.
Rainfall on Monday formed a new melt-freeze crust which extends to at least 2000 m. As tempertures dropped overnight, the precipitation switched to snow and up to 25 cm of new snow now overlies this new crust. Ongoing wind is redistributing the new snowfall building new wind slabs in exposed terrain.
Around 100 cm deep, a layer of surface hoar, facets and/or a crust exists. Uncertainty exists over the reactivity of this layer. In thin snowpack areas, faceted grains or depth hoar may exist at the base of the snowpack.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 15 cm of snow. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
