Strong winds with new snow starting to trickle in on Wednesday will increase avalanche hazard in alpine and at exposed tree line.
The hazard will increase further as a significant snowstorm begins Wednesday night, bringing upwards of 30 cm of snow by Friday.
Incremental snow loading from the past few days in the form of new snow plus wind distribution and variable wind impacts continue to add to this problem. Increased wind values in a couple days may be the impetus to increase its sensitivity.
On Monday, local ski resort saw a skier triggered windslab, size 2, 2480m, North aspect, 40cm deep and 300m long. Their explosive control work had a similar result on the adjacent slope.
Icefield's patrol only had 30% visibility, snowing actively, with 20cm of new snow South of Parkers ridge. No naturals were observed but gusty conditions noted with windslabs forming.
15-30cm of soft snow in sheltered locations sits on various melt freeze crusts and older wind affected snow, or a patchy surface hoar layer below treeline. The midpack is generally dense and well consolidated with basal facets in thin snowpack areas.
Wednesday
Flurries. Accumulation: 8 cm. Alpine temperature: High -8 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 30 km/h gusting to 75 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Snow. Accumulation: 21 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -8 °C. Ridge wind west: 35 km/h gusting to 95 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
FridayMainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: Low -17 °C, High -13 °C. Ridge wind west: 15 km/h gusting to 45 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
