An incoming storm Friday afternoon will bring heavy snowfall and strong winds. This new snow falls on a weak layer of surface hoar.
Avalanche hazard will increase rapidly when the snow starts.
Significant snowfall and strong gusting winds are forecast for the weekend. This new snow will fall on a widespread surface hoar layer. Expect to see large natural avalanches Friday overnight and into Saturday. This storm slab will be easy for riders to trigger.
Loose avalanches have been observed this week. Dry loose avalanches/sluffing has been rider triggered in steep terrain with powder snow.
Wet loose avalanches have been solar triggered above the valley cloud in steep terrain facing the sun.
Surface hoar is growing on the surface and will be the layer to watch when it gets buried! Steep South & West facing slopes have a sun crust at treeline and alpine elevations.
There is a dense well settled midpack without any significant weak layers.
The Nov 9 crust is down 50-100 cm. The base of the snowpack is comprised of several dense, melt-freeze rain crusts formed in October.
Treeline snowpack depths approx. 120 cm, with 40 cm at Rogers Pass (1315m).
An incoming storm Friday afternoon will bring 40cms through the weekend.
Tonight: Cloudy, Precip nil. Alp low -2°C, light SW winds, 700m Freezing Level (FZL). Alp temp inversion.
Fri: Flurries, 10cm, Alp high -2°C, Moderate SW winds,1500m FZL.
Sat: Snow, 20-30cm, Alp high -2°C, Mod SW winds, gusting to 65km/hr, 1500m FZL
Sun: Cloudy with flurries, Alp high -6°C, Mod SW winds.
