New snow and elevated winds will introduce fresh surface instabilities to the region.
A weak layer of surface hoar crystals is buried around 30 to 60 cm deep in sheltered, shady terrain around treeline. It was reactive to both human and natural triggers last week and there is uncertainty about whether it is still a problem.
New snow falling over Wednesday night and Thursday will introduce a fresh surface instability to the region. Forecast amounts vary, meaning hazards may range from small wind slabs forming on leeward slopes to more widespread storm slabs affecting most avalanche terrain.
Wednesday night: Becoming cloudy with flurries bringing 5-10 cm of new snow, increasing in the morning. Moderate to strong west winds.
Thursday: Cloudy with continuing snowfall bringing 10-15 cm of new snow, easing overnight. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures around -5.
Friday: Cloudy with isolated flurries and up to 5 cm of new snow, increasing overnight. Moderate to strong southwest winds, increasing overnight. Alpine high temperatures around -5.
Saturday: Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing 5-10 cm of new snow, continuing overnight. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Alpine high temperatures around -5.
A recent large (size 2.5) natural glide slab release was observed on Tuesday. The debris from the release overran the John Little Falls hiking trail.
Natural glide slab activity has been a regular occurence during recent periods of daytime warming, reinforcing the importance of avoiding glide cracks and areas exposed glide slab hazards.
Surface conditions over the region are likely a mix of recent wind slabs and wind-affected snow as well as melt freeze crust on south aspects and below about 1100 metres.
A layer of surface hoar crystals is buried around 30 to 60 cm in sheltered areas at and below treeline, shallow enough for human triggering on steep slopes where it is preserved. Recent observations of this layer are lacking.
An early-season layer of faceted grains and a melt-freeze crust can likely be found near the base of the snowpack at high elevations. A large load, such as a large cornice fall, may have potential to trigger it.
