Allow new snow time to settle and stabilize before venturing into larger terrain. Uncertainty remains about how weak layers deep in the snowpack will react to the added load.
A widespread crust with surface hoar and/or facets, buried in early December is buried 100 to 200 cm deep. The same layer has been responsible for several large, destructive avalanches in regions to the north.
Aniticipate recent storm and wind slab development, particularly in areas that have received over 20 cm of new snow.
While no new avalanche activity has been reported at the time of publishing, avalanche activity has likely occurred on Wednesday due to snowfall and increased winds. Paticularly in areas closer to the coast, which are forecast to received more snowfall.
Up to 30 cm of new snow has accumulated since the weekend, with lower amounts in inland areas. Westerly winds have redistributed this new snow into deeper deposits in leeward terrain. A layer of weak surface hoar crystals may exist beneath the new snow in wind-sheltered terrain, while previously wind-affected surfaces have been buried elsewhere.
Deeper in the snowpack, approximately 100 to 200 cm below the surface, a crust with faceted crystals, and/or surface hoar, buried in early December, persist.
The lower snowpack is generally well-settled with no current concerns.
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h west ridegtop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Friday
Partly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Saturday
Partly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
