Yesterdays new snow combined with light to moderate wind has likely formed new wind slab on a variety of surfaces. Monitor closely how this new snow is bonding to old surfaces.
Current snowpack levels remain below seasonal averages, expect hazards to exist just under the new low density snow.
Friday into Saturday is a major weather transition period. Expect high precipitation amounts, warming temperatures and a rapidly rising avalanche danger.
Yesterdays new snow and moderate north winds has likely created a wind slab in open terrain. Wind slabs could be reactive as they overlie a crust, buried surface hoar or old hard wind-affected surfaces. Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
No new avalanches have been observed or reported. Keep sharing your experiences and observations by submitting a MIN report!
Yesterday snow totals of 10-20 cm of low density snow varied within the forecast area. The southern portion of the island did however receive the greatest amounts. This new snow has fallen on a variety of surfaces from an unsupportive sun crust on southern aspects, to heavily wind affected hard surfaces on open exposed terrain and in isolated terrain protected from the wind newly formed surface hoar. The snowpack continues to present as thin and averages 130 cm deep at tree line.
Down approximately 70 cm, a buried layer can be found that contains decomposing surface hoar crystals. There is also a layer of weak, sugary crystals near the base of the snowpack. During testing, these layers are producing hard results and no reports of avalanches occurring on these layers have been observed or reported.
An arctic air mass will remain over the entire region and this forecast area will continue to see mostly clear skies, cold temperatures and light to moderate north wind. Beginning early Friday, an expected storm front will deliver a generally warm air mass that will bring heavy snow fall followed by warming temperatures and rising freezing levels.
Wednesday night
Mostly clear. North east wind at 20-30 km/h at ridge tops. Low of -18 ˚C.
Thursday
Partly cloudy. Northwest wind at 20 km/h at ridge tops. High of -12 ˚C.
Friday
Snow 10-20 cm. Southwesterly wind at 40 km/h at ridge tops. High of 0 ˚C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
Saturday
Snow and Rain for a potential of up to 100 mm. Southeasterly wind at 20 km/h at ridge tops. High of 3 ˚C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
