New snow & wind is forecast to build reactive slabs.
Validate conditions in the field:
If you see less than 15 cm of new snow in your area, the hazard may only be Moderate.
New snow and wind are expected to form storm slabs. These slabs will be most reactive on wind-loaded north through east facing slopes near ridgetops. They also may be poorly bonded to an underlying rain crust at treeline and below.
Wet loose avalanches will be possible wherever the snow surface is moist or wet.
Thursday, natural and explosive triggered slabs up to size 2 were observed in the Lizard Range.
Wednesday, explosive control triggered small storm slabs in the Lizard Range and small wind slabs near Castle Mtn.
Tuesday, natural and explosive triggered slabs up to size 1.5 were observed in the Lizard Range on wind-loaded alpine slopes.
Looking forward, wind slabs may be triggerable on Friday, especially if the forecast snow and wind occur.
10 to 25 mm of precipitation is expected, primarily overnight Thursday. Freezing levels are uncertain, and it may fall as rain or snow at treeline. Where the precipitation falls as snow, we can expect fresh storm slabs.
Up to 15 mm of rain from Wednesday night formed a crust that reaches up into the low alpine across much of the region. This overlies 50 to 70 cm of settling snow that is generally bonding well to the mid-December crust.
Below the December crust, the snowpack is generally well settled and moist to the ground.
Below 1500 m, the snow surface may be moist or crusty, and rapidly diminishes with elevation.
Thursday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 20 mm of rain or snow at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 5 cm of snow above 1500 m. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Saturday
Cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow, highest amounts in the Lizard Range. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Sunday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
