7 AM Update: Investigate how the new snow is bonding to the underlying layers.
Snowfall amounts vary greatly; the danger is likely one step lower in areas that didn't receive at least 15 cm.
Stormy weather may have built new slabs at higher elevations. They may not bond well with old snow surfaces, particularly where the new snow rests on a hard crust. Assess for slab conditions and the bond with the old surface as you travel.
On Wednesday, east of Nakusp, there were a few large (size 2) storm slabs remotely triggered by a snowcat. Also west of Creston, ski cuts produced small storm slabs failing 25 cm deep.
Looking forward, riders could trigger storm slabs at higher elevations, particularly if they don't bond well to underlying old surfaces.
Please consider submitting a MIN to let us know what you're seeing out there.
Anywhere from 15 to 50 cm of snow has fallen on Tuesday and Wednesday. This snow either sits on moist snow around treeline or likely on a crust in the alpine.
The snow also fell with moderate to strong winds, forming deeper deposits in lee terrain features. Below 1500 m, all this precipitation fell as rain, wetting an already wet and melting snowpack.
The remainder of the snowpack is strong.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow, with the highest amounts south of Nelson, and in the Purcells. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
