Minimize exposure to avalanche terrain and overhead hazard. Snow and wind are expected to build sensitive storm slabs.
Buried weak layers may become more reactive as load increases.
With increased load, the buried weak layers from early February (facets, surface hoar and crusts) in the upper metre of the snowpack may become an issue, producing widely propagating avalanches.
Storm snow will accumulate over old firm surfaces, and is expected to bond poorly. The deepest and most reactive slabs are likely to be found on north and east facing slopes.
Natural wind slabs were reported on Monday up to size 2.5, likely occurring during strong winds.
A remotely triggered size 2.5 persistent slab was reported on Sunday on a west aspect at treeline, failing on buried weak layers.
Moving forward, avalanche likelihood will increase as storm totals rise. Natural activity is most likely in heavily wind affected terrain.
By Wednesday afternoon, storm totals are expected to reach 15-30 cm, falling on heavily wind-affected surfaces of hard snow and old crusts.
Crust, facet and spotty surface hoar layers exist in the upper metre of the snowpack. These layers are most concerning at treeline and below, especially in inland areas where the snowpack thins.
A January crust and facet layer is buried 100 to 200 cm deep. Below, the remaining snowpack is generally well settled and well bonded.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 4 to 15 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 25 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
