Expect avalanche danger to increase through the day as new snow accumulates.
Use conservative route selection and resist venturing into complex terrain.
Fresh and reactive storm slabs will build throughout the day. These will likely be reactive to natural and human triggers, especially on lee features.
No new avalanches were reported.
Wednesday, numerous natural wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were observed. These avalanches occurred in steep, rocky south-facing terrain.
If you are heading into the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.
Up to 15 cm of new snow is expected by Saturday morning. This new snow will overlie a variety of surfaces, including a crust on south-facing aspects, wind-affected snow on north-facing terrain above 2100 m, and surface hoar on isolated, sheltered features.
The mid-December crust is 100 to 200 cm deep and well-bonded to the snow above. Above 2200 m, this crust is absent and a layer of facets and a crust from November is found at the base of the snowpack. These layers are not currently a concern.
Friday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Saturday
Cloudy. 20 to 30 cm of snow. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Sunday
Cloudy. 15 to 35 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Monday
Cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
