Ski season seems to have finally arrived! Despite the new snow, remember to be conservative with terrain choice. A dry and windy December has left us with a thin snowpack that can vary a great deal in a short space.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Temperatures look to be fairly steady with freezing levels right around the townsite level. We expect the West winds to continue. 10 to 20 cm of snow is expected through to the weekend arriving mainly Thursday and Friday. This additional snow combined with the wind will likely cause and increase in the avalanche hazard as we approach the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
40 cm fell with the Storm Friday. Strong West winds blew Sunday and Moderate West winds continued to build fresh wind slabs Monday. Thin spotty slabs can be found behind exposed features well below treeline and more significant slabs exist at higher elevations. 30 to 40 cm off of the ground a weak layer of sugary faceted crystals remains a concern.
Avalanche Summary
Observations on a wildlife survey flight Sunday confirmed a widespread cycle of loose dry avalanches to sz 2 throughout the Park. In N and E alpine slopes that were rapidly loaded during the storm these minor slides triggered several examples of deep persistent slabs to sz 2.5 and up to 1.5m deep on steep, planar or unsupported slopes.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain