The avalanche hazard will increase throughout the day with an incoming weather system.
Watch for signs of instability and make conservative terrain choices.
By late afternoon on Friday, 20 to 25 cm of new snow and moderate to strong southwest winds could hit our region. Storm slabs will build throughout the day and will rest on a variety of surfaces. New snow may not bond well to these surfaces.
This past week there have been multiple wind slab and cornice failure avalanches.
Monday and Tuesday saw four avalanches caused by cornice failures. These were in the alpine and covered all aspects except the north. They ranged in size between 2.5 and 3 and most of them did trigger a wind slab on the slope below them.
The wind slabs that occurred were in the alpine on the north and west aspects and were up to size 1.5. Some of the wind slabs were triggered naturally and remotely by snowcats. Five of them were triggered accidentally by riders. In two of these avalanches, the riders were involved. They were carried by the avalanche but were able to stay on top and get themselves out. No injuries were sustained and no gear was lost. These are good reminders that although snow stability is increasing in most places, avalanches can still occur.
Snow falling today will bury a variety of surfaces that include a heavily wind-affected alpine and treeline and a crust at lower elevations and solar aspects. Earlier this week north to northeast winds hammered the alpine and into treeline, scouring much of it. Wind slabs may still exist underneath the new snow.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
At the bottom of the snowpack, a layer of weak facets remains present and continues to be monitored for signs of reactivity.
Thursday Night
Cloudy, trace accumulation, winds southwest 15 km/h ramping up to 30 by morning, freezing levels dipping down to 800 m.
Friday
Cloudy, 20 cm accumulation starting overnight, winds southwest 30 km/h gusting to 60, freezing levels around 1000 m.
Saturday
Cloudy, up to 20 cm accumulation overnight with another 5 to 10 during the day, winds southwest 25 km/h, freezing levels reaching 1000 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with some sun, 5 cm accumulation overnight with another 2 throughout the day, winds variable and light, freezing levels getting up to 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
