The incoming storm is set to be intense!
If it arrives earlier than forecast tomorrow, be ready to change your objective.
Storm slabs are gaining strength with settlement and warm temps. Expect new storm slabs to form as the next system progresses.
Caution at treeline and below, where surface hoar may be preserved. Wind effect at treeline and above has also created slabs
Expect the next storm to start picking up steam Sunday evening.
Tonight: Trace of snow. Freezing level 900m. Wind W- 20 gusting to 45 km/h
Sun: Flurries, 10cm. Fzl 1200m. Wind SW-25 km/h
Mon: Snow, 30cm. Fzl 1600m. Wind SW 25 gusting to 55 km/h
Storm slabs have formed with ~40cm of storm snow, warm temps and mod/strong SW winds. These have buried a Jan11 surface hoar layer observed up to 4-6mm, found at treeline and below. The Dec 1 crust is now buried up to 2m deep and remains dormant.
No new avalanches were observed in the highway corridor today.
Yesterday, a size 3.0 avalanche released naturally from a steep solar path at treeline (Cougar Corner 6). The sun also triggered numerous small (up to size 1.5) loose dry avalanches from steep, rocky terrain features.
