Update Dec 27 7am: New snow & wind overnight makes for High avalanche danger. Don't let blue skies and fresh powder lure you into consequential terrain this afternoon.
New snow and wind continue to build storm slabs. These slabs will be most reactive on wind-loaded north through east facing slopes near ridgetops. They also may be poorly bonded to an underlying rain crust below 2000 m.
Thursday, natural and explosive triggered slabs up to size 2 were observed in the Lizard Range.
Wednesday, explosive control triggered small storm slabs in the Lizard Range and small wind slabs near Castle Mtn.
Tuesday, natural and explosive triggered slabs up to size 1.5 were observed in the Lizard Range on wind-loaded alpine slopes.
5 - 15 cm of new snow is expected, falling primarily overnight Saturday. This will add to the 25 - 50 cm of storm snow accumulated in the region over the last few days, building widespread storm slabs.
The storm snow overlies a recent rain crust that reaches up to 1700 - 2000 m.
Otherwise, the snowpack is generally well settled. Some additional crusts are buried between 50 to 100 cm, but are not concerning at this time.
Below 1500 m, the snowpack rapidly diminishes with elevation.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Saturday
Morning clouds, sunny in the afternoon. 2 to 5 cm of snow in the AM. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Monday
Sunny. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
