Valley cloud may be hiding the sun, however it will be shining bright again tomorrow with a stronger alpine temperature inversion than today.
Anticipate increasing avalanche hazard throughout the day on steep solar slopes.
Winds have flipped from the south to the north, then back to the south, resulting in some reverse loading. As a result, isolated pockets of wind slab exist on all aspects near ridgetops in the alpine.
Forecasted strong solar input and warm air aloft will likely trigger loose slides from steep solar aspects. These avalanches may trigger more stubborn windslabs below!
On Monday there was a size 1.5 wind slab avalanche in the alpine on Macdonald West Shoulder 4, likely skier triggered.
There have been a few reports of small (size 1 or less) rider-triggered avalanches over the past 2 days.
NE wind on Jan 3rd initiated a small, isolated natural avalanche cycle in the west end of the park up to size 2 from very steep terrain.
Multiple crusts are present in the top 20cm of the snowpack from recent solar inputs and a freezing rain event Saturday afternoon.
Lower density surface snow was redistributed by moderate wind from various directions this past week, which has created pockets of soft slabs in wind prone areas.
Overall the mid and lower snowpack is strong and well settled.
High pressure and a strong alpine temperature inversion on Tue with valley cloud.
Tonight Cloudy w/ clear periods, Alp Low: -8°C. Wind: N10km/hr. Freezing level (FZL) valley bottom.
Tue Mix of sun & cloud. Alp high -1 °C. Wind: SW 25-35km/hr. FZL 1500m
Wed Cloudy w/ sunny periods, isolated flurries. Alp high -7°C. Wind W 20-30 km/hr. FZL 1100m
Thurs Cloudy w/ sunny periods. Alp high -3°C. Wind SW 15km/hr. FZL 1300m
