Use caution in wind effected terrain, a fresh wind slab has formed in the new snow.
If the skies are clear, watch for solar triggered loose avalanches in steep terrain facing the sun.
Moderate southerly winds and 10-15 cm of new snow have formed fresh wind slabs on lee features. Pockets of buried wind slab may exist on all aspects near ridgetops in the alpine.
No new natural avalanches were observed on Wednesday.
Solar triggered, loose, dry avalanches are likely on Thursday, if the skies clear.
On Monday, we observed a size 1.5 wind slab avalanche in the alpine above NRC gully on Macdonald West Shoulder, likely rider triggered.
10-15 cm of new snow buried a weak interface which consists of widespread surface hoar present in the elevation band from ~1400 m to 2100 m surface hoar and a thin sun crust on steep westerly aspect. Moderate southerly winds have redistributed this new snow in exposed terrain, loading north facing terrain.
Isolated wind slabs are buried by new snow. These can be found on all aspects in the alpine.
Overall the mid and lower snowpack is strong and well settled.
A brief clearing trend if forecast for Thursday, with a frontal system approaching Friday.
Tonight Cloudy w/clear periods. Alp Low -9, Ridge wind light gusting to mod. Freezing level (FZL) 700m.
Thurs Cloudy w/sunny periods. Alp high -4. Ridge wind SW 20 km/h. FZL 1100m.
Fri Flurries. 10-15 cm. Wind SW25, gusting to 50. FZL 800m
Sat Cloudy w/flurries. Trace precip. Alpine high -9 °C. Ridge wind W 15-35. FZL 800m.
