Assess conditions and look for signs of instability.
Be prepared to dial back your terrain choices as storm slabs increase in size and likelihood.
New, small storm slabs are expected to be reactive due to the large surface hoar they’ll form over.
Dry loose avalanches are likely where new snow doesn't form a slab.
There have been no new avalanches reported in over a week.
By Friday afternoon 15 to 30 cm of snow could overlie the late January surface hoar/crust layer. This new snow will be accompanied by southwest wind meaning that the crust will likely remain on the surface on southerly aspects and deeper deposits will be found on north and east aspects. The surface hoar is largest on sheltered treeline and below treeline features.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled.
Thursday Night
Cloudy. 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Friday
Cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 5 cm of snow at treeline with rain below treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
