Continuously assess conditions as you gain elevation.
Rider triggerable storm slabs could be found at higher elevations where forecasted precipitation is likely to fall as snow.
Storm slabs will likely have formed overnight at higher elevations.
At lower elevations, where precipitation is likely to have fallen as rain, wet loose avalanches are possible.
A natural avalanche cycle took place overnight on December 17th. In the alpine storm slab avalanches up to size 2 were observed and at lower elevations wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were observed.
If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN)
In the alpine, up to 40 cm of new snow may have fallen by early morning on the 20th. This new snow will be accompanied by moderate to strong southerly winds which will form deeper deposits on northerly aspects. A prominent crust can be found on the surface due to ongoing scouring from southerly winds.
The upper snowpack at treeline and below is saturated from recent rain.
Snow depths taper substantially below 1000 m.
Thursday NightCloudy with 30 to 40 mm of mixed precipitation. 30 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 2200 m.FridayCloudy with 10 to 20 mm of rain. 20 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 2300 m.
Saturday
Increasing cloud throughout the day with10 to 20 mm of mixed precipitation. 30 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 2100 m in the morning and falling throughout the day to 1300 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with 10 to 20 mm of mixed precipitation. 50 to 80 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
