An incoming storm will deliver significant precipitation burying a weak, unconsolidated layer created during the prolonged cold weather.
New snow accumulating through the day will bury a weak, facetted layer. Storm slabs will become increasingly reactive with continued snow, and wind through Friday.
No notable recent avalanches have been reported. Expect avalanche activity to start with new snow, wind, and warming temperatures starting Friday.
Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network.
Around 5 to 15 cm of snow on Friday will arrive with warm temperatures and strong winds. Buried by the new snow is a layer of weak, sugary, unconsolidated snow produced by the recent cold weather.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled and bonding.
At treeline, the snowpack depth generally is 100 to 180 cm.
Thursday night
Cloudy with snow, up to 10 cm in the North Shore mountains, less as you move inland. Light to moderate southwest winds and -5 to -10 C in the alpine.
Friday
Cloudy with snow, 5 to 15 cm. Temperatures of 0 to -5 C, and moderate to strong southwest winds.
Saturday
Cloudy with heavy rain or wet snow (roughly 50 mm). Temperatures above freezing, and strong southwest winds in the alpine. Freezing levels rise to 2000 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with rain or wet snow (roughly 20 mm). Temperatures above freezing, and moderate to strong southwest winds in the alpine. Freezing levels around 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
