20-30cm of snow is on its way. While not a huge amount, we are expecting a brief natural cycle tomorrow.
Summary
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
All forecasts are saying snow is on the way. Amounts vary, but 30cm seems to a common number for the Spray area. Unfortunately moderate to strong southwest winds will accompany the snow. As for temperatures, they will remain warm until later in the week end. Tomorrow's high is -5C. Today saw above zero temps on the road.
Avalanche Summary
Nothing noted today due to poor visibility.
Snowpack Summary
The leading edge of the approaching storm has so far given us only 4cm near the divide. It is exactly what the forecast said would happen (don't hear that much!). That's giving us confidence in there being a further 20cm by tomorrow. The forecasted winds are also correct. As of this afternoon ridgetop winds were around 50km/hr from the SW. Windslabs are building on any easterly aspect in the alpine and treeline areas. How well these slabs stick to the underlying windslabs is the question. Given how long the slabs were exposed for, it may be a poor bond at first. Treeline saw little change today, but again, if there are new slabs by tomorrow expect them to be poorly bonded due to surface facetting. In general, this 20cm would be considered a rapid load. The Jan 17th surface hoar is isolated, but where it exists, expect it to be down 30cm and possibly reactive. Deeper layers will be stressed trying to support the weight of a 20-30cm storm.