25 to 30 cm of warm snow is expected Monday night. Human triggered avalanches are likely Tuesday, especially in steep wind-loaded terrain above treeline. Choose conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Continued precipitation is expected through Monday night before a brief lull in the action Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday's system looks pretty juicy, stay tuned for details. MONDAY NIGHT: Overcast, freezing level around 1200 m, snowline around 1000 m, moderate southwest wind, 25 to 30 cm of snow.TUESDAY: Overcast, freezing level around 1000 m lowering through the day, moderate west wind, no snow expected.WEDNESDAY: Overcast, freezing level around 800 m, light scattered wind, up to 5 cm of snow possible. Up to 30 cm possible Wednesday night.THURSDAY: Overcast, freezing level may rise as high as 1200 m, strong west wind, 15 to 30 cm of snow possible.
Avalanche Summary
On Monday storm slabs were sensitive to skier triggering to size 1.0 on northwest through southeast facing features with crowns 10 to 15 cm in depth.
Snowpack Summary
As of Monday afternoon, 20 to 40 cm of rain soaked snow had fallen on the January 7th crust. Looking down into the snowpack there are a few prominent melt-freeze crusts that were buried mid-December and are now 50 to 100 cm below the surface. After heavy rain last Friday penetrated most of the snowpack, these crust layers have been reported to be bonding to the snow above and below. The rain last week has reduced the snowpack depth at 1000 m to about 140 cm and many early season hazards are still present.
ghelgeson,
Avalanche Canada
