No significant new snow expected over the next few days, however be cautious in steep open terrain where the snow has been wind-affected.
Recent snow could form unstable slabs on steep wind-loaded slopes. These slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust and surface hoar layers, although the distribution of these layers is uncertain.
Mostly clear and windy conditions for the next few days.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, 50-80 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine temperatures around -5 C.
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 50-80 km/h wind from the southwest, freezing level climbing to 1500 m with alpine temperature reaching -2 C.
SATURDAY: A light dusting of new snow overnight then clearing throughout the day, light wind with some moderate gusts, freezing level drops to valley bottom and alpine temperatures drop to -10 C.
SUNDAY: Clear skies, 30-50 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -5 C.
Observations are limited right now, but there have been no reports of recent avalanches. Over the next few days the surface snow could be blown into unstable slabs in steep wind affected terrain.
We appreciate the recent reports submitted to the Mountain Information Network. Keep them coming!
Snowpack depths at upper treeline elevations are nearing 100 cm and beginning to exceed the threshold for avalanches, while the snowpack is much thinner in the valleys.
Windy conditions over the next few days will blow around the 15-25 cm of snow that fell on Tuesday night. There is potential for this snow to form unstable slabs on certain isolated slopes. Reports suggest this snow may sit above a layer of surface hoar in sheltered terrain and above a hard crust in other areas. If wind slabs form above these layers they could be particularly sensitive to triggering.
The lower snowpack consists of crusts. Weak snow may be developing around these crusts in some areas, which will be a snowpack feature to monitor as the season progresses.
