Increased southerly winds combined with recent storm snow may form new wind slabs at treeline and above.
Rider-triggered avalanches are possible.
15-43 cm of recent storm snow may be easily transported by moderate to strong southwest wind. Fresh wind slabs may build on leeward slopes.
The wind slab may be reactive to rider triggering where the snow sits above a crust and or where the wind has stiffened the slab.
No new avalanches were reported by 4 pm on Wednesday.
On Monday, several natural sun-triggered wet and dry loose avalanches were seen on solar slopes.
15-30 cm of soft snow is settling over a widespread, crust except north-facing slopes at treeline and above, where it sits on old, faceted surfaces, and surface hoar in some areas. Forecast moderate to strong winds will likely form fresh wind slabs on leeward slopes and behind terrain features.
The mid-pack is generally well-settled.
In some areas, the lower snowpack includes a layer of weak facets near the ground. No recent avalanches have been reported on this layer. However, we continue to track the layer and watch for any signs of it becoming active again.
Wednesday Night
Mix of clear and cloud. Ridgetop wind 10-20 km/h from the southwest and freezing level falling to valley bottom. Treeline low around -8°C.
Thursday
Cloudy with possible sunny periods. Trace of snow. Ridgetop wind 15-25 km/h from the south. Freezing level rising to 1700 m. Treeline high around -1°C.
Friday
Cloudy with new snow 5-10 cm. Ridgetop wind 25-45 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with flurries up to 5 cm. Ridgetop wind 15 km/h gusting to 60 km/h from the southwest. rising to between 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
