As the incoming storm builds and snowfall amounts to begin to exceed 20 cm, plan to seek low angle and conservative terrain free of overhead hazard.
A new and building storm slab is forming over a variety of surfaces. Watch for deeper and more reactive slabs near ridgelines on north aspect terrain.
Other than small loose snow sluffing, no new avalanches were reported either Wednesday or Tuesday. On Monday, size 1-1.5 naturally triggered avalanches were observed in specific features. Recent avalanches have been failing on within the recent storm snow (35-50 cm deep), or deeper on buried crusts farther inland.
We suspect , that reactivity may persist in specific areas like steep terrain or on wind loaded features.
In addition to new surface hoar growing in sheltered, especially shaded areas, light wind effect may be found on the surface in some terrain, creating deeper deposits around ridgelines.
Otherwise, over 100 cm of recent storm snow appears to be settling and bonding well to the widespread crust below it. Below this crust, 40 - 70 cm of previous storm snow in some areas sits on a strengthening layer of pellet-like graupel over an earlier crust.
The lower snowpack is well consolidated. While the recent snow has improved travel conditions at lower elevations, many obstacles, such as stumps and rocks lurk just below the surface.
Thursday night
Becoming cloudy. 30-60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 600 m.
Friday
Cloudy increasing snowfall bringing 20-40 cm of new snow, 40-80 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C with freezing level to 800 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with heavy snowfall bringing 30-50 cm of new snow, continuing overnight. 50-60 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature around -2 °C with freezing level rising to 1200 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with continuing heavy snowfall bringing 30-50 cm of new snow and 2-day totals of 100-150 cm. 40-60 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C with freezing level around 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
