Be prepared to back off lines as snow accumulates through the day and the likelihood of avalanches increases.
New snow and strong southerly winds will form storm and wind slabs throughout the day. The largest and most reactive slabs will be found on lee and cross loaded features. Strong winds mean that wind slabs may be found further down slope than usual.
At lower elevations where precipitation is more likely to fall as rain, wet loose avalanches are likely in steep terrain. Avoid terrain where even a small avalanche could push you into a terrain trap or over cliffs.
Wet loose avalanches up to size 2 have been observed on all aspects and elevations. We suspect this type of activity will continue at lower elevations and slab avalanches will be more likely at treeline and above.
The storm on Sunday will bring another 15 cm of storm snow bringing recent totals to 30-40 cm. Wind slabs will form on west through east aspects due to strong southerly winds. New storm snow will overlie a crust at higher elevations and already moist snow at treeline.
The snowpack contains. Multiple crusts that are not currently a concern.
Saturday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected. Strong to extreme southerly winds and freezing levels falling to 1400 m.
Sunday
Stormy with 15 cm of new snow expected. Extreme southerly winds and freezing levels rising to 1900 m with the snowline around 1200 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5cm of new snow. Moderate southerly winds and freezing levels rising to 1500 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow possible. Moderate southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
