Dangerous avalanche conditions exist at higher elevations as new snow settles. Human triggering potential persists as natural avalanche activity tapers off.
Up to 60 cm of storm snow and strong southwest, switching to northwest, winds have built reactive storm slabs in lees. Storm slabs may be most reactive where they sit above a fragile layer of surface hoar.
On Monday, accumulating storm snow was reported to be reactive to skier traffic and some size 1 storm snow avalanches were observed. Storm snow was most reactive where it sits above a layer of fragile surface hoar. See these MIN's from Mystery Peak and Mt Strachan for images and descriptions.
If you head into the backcountry by any method of travel, please consider submitting observations and/or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
40 to 60 cm of storm snow blankets the North Shore Mountains. This overlies 50-80 cm of recent snow over a crust and a well-settled snowpack in the alpine and upper treeline. Extreme southwest winds have built thick slabs in lee feature at treeline and in the alpine.
The last few storms have brought winter to the North Shore Mountains, and lower-elevation areas may reach the threshold for avalanches.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with isolated flurries, 1-5 cm of snow. Northwest ridgetop winds 40 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. Northerly valley bottom outflow wind 25 to 40 km/h and northwest ridgetop winds 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, 2 cm of snow. Northerly valley bottom outflow wind 30 to 50 km/h and northwest ridgetop winds 40 to 70 km/h. Treeline temperatures drop through the day to -13 °C.
Friday
Mainly sunny. Northwest ridgetop winds 20 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperatures drop to -17 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
