Watch for reactive slabs in wind-loaded areas where the snow is deeper and stiffer. Uncertainty remains about how weak layers deep in the snowpack.
Expect to find stiffer and deeper deposits of snow in wind-loaded areas. Reactive slabs will continue to form as wind redistributes the recent snow.
A widespread crust with surface hoar and/or facets, buried in early December is buried 100 to 200 cm deep. The same layer has been responsible for several large, destructive avalanches in regions to the north.
On Wednesday visibility hindered observations, however fresh snow and wind resulted in natural storm slab avalanches to size 3 and wind slabs to size 1 triggered by rider traffic.
Up to 30 cm of new snow has accumulated since the weekend, with lower amounts in inland areas. Westerly winds have redistributed this new snow into deeper deposits in leeward terrain. A layer of weak surface hoar crystals may exist beneath the new snow in wind-sheltered terrain, while previously wind-affected surfaces have been buried elsewhere.
Deeper in the snowpack, approximately 100 to 200 cm below the surface, a crust with faceted crystals, and/or surface hoar, buried in early December, persist.
The lower snowpack is generally well-settled with no current concerns.
Thursday night
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Friday
Partly cloudy. 25 to 45 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 30 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Sunday
Sunny. 40 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
