Assess for newly formed slabs before committing to consequential terrain.
New storm and wind slabs are likely building as snow continues to accumulate with strong wind. The deepest and touchiest slabs are likely in lee terrain features. Snow totals are expected to be highest in the south of the region.
A few small loose dry and wind slabs were observed in the north of the region on Thursday. The wind slabs were in alpine terrain on northerly aspects.
Looking forward, new slabs may form with snow and strong wind forecast for Friday. Assess for slab formation and dial your terrain choices back as snow accumulates.
Snow continues to accumulate into Friday with associated moderate to strong wind. Storm totals since Wednesday may reach 20 to 40 cm by the end of Friday. This snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust below 1500 m. Wind will likely blow soft snow into deeper and touchier deposits in lee terrain features near ridges.
The remainder of the snowpack is strong with various hard crusts.
Snow depths are highly variable throughout the region, ranging from 100 to 300 cm at treeline and tapering rapidly below.
Thursday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm snow, south alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -5 ºC, freezing level 500 m.
Friday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm snow, south alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -5 ºC, freezing level 500 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud with trace snow, northwest alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -7 ºC.
Sunday
Mostly clear skies with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 10 km/h, treeline temperature -8 ºC.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
