In parts of the region that saw more than around 10 cm of new snow on Thursday, watch for newly formed wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain.
Watch for recently formed wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain if you are finding more than around 10 cm of new snowfall from Thursday.
The next storm system is expected to reach the region on Friday afternoon bringing snowfall for Friday night into Saturday morning.
Thursday night: Mainly cloudy, light to moderate SW wind, freezing level around 1000 m.
Friday: Snowfall beginning in the afternoon 5-10 cm, moderate to strong SW wind, freezing level reaching around 1200 m.
Friday night: Snowfall 5-15 cm, strong S wind, freezing level around 1000 m.
Saturday: Lingering flurries in the morning up to 5 cm, sunny breaks in the afternoon, moderate SW wind, freezing level around 800 m.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate SW wind, freezing level around 800 m.
No new avalanche observations have been reported recently.
Prior to Thursday's snowfall, 15-20 cm of older storm snow had been redistributed by wind at upper elevations forming wind slabs that have now settled and stabilized, bonding well to a widespread melt-freeze crust found across the region. This underlying crust is thickest at low elevations and on sun-exposed slopes, and may not exist on high elevation north aspects. The snowpack is considered strong and well-bonded below this crust. Check out the recent MIN post from the Avalanche Canada field team for more details from the north of the region.
Below treeline, snowpack depths are below threshold for avalanches in many areas.
