If you can't identify avalanche terrain do not enter the backcountry. If you can, stick to simple terrain. 15 to 25 cm of new snow rests on a persistent weak layer which is unusual for these mountains. Strong northwest wind Tuesday may initiate a natural avalanche cycle.
As of Monday afternoon the region has picked up 15 to 25 cm of snow which is not bonding well to the old surface. We're expecting a strong northwest wind event Tuesday which will likely induce a natural avalanche cycle at upper elevations and will add significant stiffness to the storm slab problem.
Windy Tuesday, bluebird Wednesday & then another storm approaches Thursday.
MONDAY NIGHT: Freezing level lowering to around 400 m, light northwest wind, trace of snow possible.
TUESDAY: Overcast, freezing level rising to 1000 m, strong northwest wind, no significant precipitation expected.
WEDNESDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level beginning around 500 m rising to 800 m in the afternoon, light northerly wind, no significant precipitation expected.
THURSDAY: Scattered clouds at dawn building to overcast in the afternoon, freezing level rising to about 1500 m in the afternoon, strong to extreme southerly wind expected Thursday afternoon, no snow anticipated during the day. 20 to 35 mm of precipitation Thursday night with a freezing level around 700 m.
Early reports from Monday show that the 15 to 25 cm of storm snow is not bonding well to the old weak surface, and the warmer temperatures have made avalanches quite sensitive to triggering.There are some tremendous visuals in this MIN report. Avalanche are expected to be sensitive to human triggering Tuesday as well.
As of Monday afternoon the storm has produced 15 to 23 cm, snowfall is expected to tapper this afternoon.
Click here to check out North Shore Rescue's snowpack update from February 12. It's an excellent snapshot of conditions on the North Shore in advance of the current storm pattern.
Beneath our storm snow there is a rather unusual mix of facets, thin breakable crust and isolated pockets of surface hoar. There is then 30-40 cm of gradually faceting snow, and then a wide spread and supportive crust underneath.
