Watch for changing conditions and signs of slab formation as storm snow accumulates throughout the day. Be especially cautious in wind-loaded lee areas where deeper pockets exist.
Watch for new snow and moderate winds forming fresh wind slabs at higher elevations. Be especially cautious on solar slopes where new snow overlies a slick crust. Previously variable winds created wind slabs that can be found on all aspects.
Every day this week natural and skier-triggered wind slab avalanches have been reported on all aspects between 1600 and 2200 m. Many of the natural avalanches were triggered by cornice falls or solar input from the week. Most recently was a skier accidental, size 2 wind slab avalanche from Wednesday. The avalanche happened on an east slope at 1900 m and was 30 cm deep.
New snow overlies 40-60 cm of storm snow that has been redistributed by shifting winds into wind slabs on all aspects at treeline and above. On solar aspects, overlies a hard melt-freeze crust.
A layer of surface hoar can be found on shaded slopes, and a sun crust on sun affected slopes buried 40 to 70 cm deep. No recent avalanche activity has been observed on this layer however last week it was active in the Rossland and Norns region. Professionals continue to monitor the layer.
The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. These facets are slowly gaining strength and have not produced recent avalanche activity. We continue to track the layer and watch for any signs that it could wake up and produce very large avalanches.
Thursday Night
Increasing cloud through the evening. Moderate southeasterly winds. Treeline temperature low of -10.
Friday
Cloudy with flurries, 5-15 cm accumulation. Moderate southeast winds switch to light west winds in the afternoon. Treeline temperature high of -9. Freezing levels remain at valley bottom.
Overnight flurries continue 2-5 cm accumulation.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, 3 cm accumulation. Light southwesterly winds. Treeline temperature high of -6. Freezing levels 1100 m.
Sunday
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Moderate southwesterly winds. Treeline temperature high of -2. Freezing levels 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
