New snow and wind are creating deeper and increasingly destructive storm slabs ripe for human triggering. Sticking to simple terrain would be a great way to manage the elevated hazard on Thursday.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: 15-30cm of new snow / Strong to extreme southwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level around 1000m.THURSDAY: 10-20cm of new snow / Moderate southwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level dropping to around 600m.FRIDAY: 5-10cm of new snow / Light southwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level around 600m.SATURDAY: 5-10 cm of new snow / Light to moderate southwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level around 600m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported, but that may speak more to a lack of observations rather than actual conditions. Looking forward, forecast snow and wind will promote ongoing storm slab avalanche activity, especially in higher elevation, lee terrain.
Snowpack Summary
In recent days the region was pummeled by heavy precipitation with the rain line hovering around 800m. 20cm of new snow is being redistributed by moderate southerly ridgetop winds. The reactivity of the new storm slabs is likely to vary greatly depending on elevation/ temperature and orientation to wind. In general, I would expect the touchiest conditions to exist in exposed, higher elevation terrain.
jsmith,
Avalanche Canada
