Significative storm slabs will continue to develop throughout the day. It is a good day to make conservative choices and stick to simple, safe and non-avalanche terrain.
Significative storm slabs will continue to develop throughout the day. It is almost certain that this new snow will not bond to the variety of older surfaces and will produce a natural avalanche cycle. It is a good day to make conservative choices and stick to simple and safe terrain.
The arrival of a Pacific frontal system marks the change to a wetter weather pattern.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Snow, heavy at times, 40-60 cm, 80-100 km/h southerly wind, treeline low temperature -3 C, freezing level at 800 m.
SUNDAY: Snow, 15-30 cm, 40-60 km/h southwesterly wind, treeline high temperature -2 C, freezing level at 1000 m.
MONDAY: Snow turning to rain, 25-50 mm, 60-80 km/h southwesterly wind, treeline high temperature +4 C, freezing level at 2000 m.
TUESDAY: Snow mixed with rain, 15-30 cm, 60-80 km/h southwesterly wind, treeline high temperature +1 C, freezing level at 1300 m.
On Friday, several natural loose wet avalanches size 1 were reported on solar aspects.
Storm snow is covering a variety of surfaces including the widespread mid-February crust, wind affected snow and pockets of wind slab in exposed high elevation terrain, a suncrust on solar aspects, low density facetted snow on northerly slopes and spotty surface hoar in very sheltered lower elevations. It is almost certain that all this new snow will not bond to the older surfaces.
The prominent late-January crust is now down 20-60 cm and is well bonded to the surrounding snow. The mid and lower snowpack is considered well settled and strong. Shallow snow cover at low elevations leaves many hazards like stumps and creeks exposed at or just below the snow surface.
