Danger is gradually increasing as snow accumulates above a slippery crust, especially on wind-loaded slopes near ridges.
A frontal system crossing the region will form unstable wind slabs on Wednesday. These conditions will most likely be found on the leeward side of ridges. The snow could be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
A cold front will bring gusty winds and 5-20 cm of low density snow on Wednesday.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with some light flurries and 1-5 cm of snow by the morning, moderate wind from the southwest with some gusts to 50 km/h, treeline temperatures around -8 C.
WEDNESDAY: Flurries bring 5-15 cm of low density snow, moderate to strong wind from the west, treeline temperatures around -8 C.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy, no precipitation, light wind from the west, treeline temperatures around -10 C.
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, no significant precipitation, light wind from the southwest with some moderate gusts, treeline temperatures around -10 C.
Recent avalanche activity has been limited to small sluffs (aka loose snow avalanches) running above the shallowly buried crust. Over the weekend there was one explosive triggered storm slab in an open bowl involving a deeper pocket of snow above the crust.
Be on the lookout for this low density snow becoming a more cohesive slab above the crust, especially in wind-affected areas.
Expect more snow to accumulate over the widespread crust on Wednesday. By the end of the day there will likely be 20-40 cm of low density snow above the crust in sheltered areas, while strong wind will likely form wind slabs at upper elevations. The bond of the new snow to the crust is suspect.
The snowpack structure is relatively simple beneath the crust. At upper treeline elevations, the total snow depth is 60-120 cm with a few crusts in the lower snowpack. Below treeline, the snowpack is much thinner and a relatively uniform layer of frozen crusts.
