The strong winds that accompanied yesterday's sea-level snowfall have wind-sculpted upper elevations in many areas. If you do venture up high, use ribs and high terrain to avoid pockets of wind slab that are most likely to be found behind corniced ridge lines, below cliffs, and in steep gully features.
Enjoy the low-elevation snow, but remember what hazards lurk below it!
Recent snowfall and strong southerly winds may have created deep deposits of wind slabs in lee areas. These wind-hardened slabs are most likely to be found behind corniced ridge lines, below cliff bands, and in steep gully features.
Observations are limited at this time of year. No new avalanches have been reported or observed. If you do head into the backcountry consider submitting a MIN report!
Tuesday night's storm brought 20-40 cm of new snow to higher elevations accompanied by strong to extreme southerly winds. Tapering snowfall amounts at lower elevations blanketed the island with up to 30 cm of new snow accumulation down to sea level.
In open alpine and treeline areas, strong winds are expected to have created deep pockets of wind slab in lee areas and stripped windward areas back down to the ground or an icy crust.
.An average of 60-80 cm of snow can be found in the alpine, with wind-loaded areas up to 150 cm.
Most areas below treeline have yet to overcome ground roughness and remain below the threshold for avalanches.
Wednesday night
Partially cloudy, isolated flurries. Freezing level drops to valley bottom, low temperature of -12 C at treeline. 10-25 km/h northeast winds.
Thursday
Mainly clear, but some isolated lingering flurries. High clouds increase in the afternoon. Freezing level remaining at valley bottom. A daytime high temperature of -5 C at treeline. 5-15 km/h northerly winds.
FridayCloudy with snowfall, 5-15 cm accumulation. Freezing level rises to 300m. A daytime high temperature of -3 C at treeline. 30-70 km/h southerly winds.
SaturdayCloudy with snowfall in the morning, clearing into the afternoon. 1-5 cm of accumulation expected. Freezing level rises to 800m. A daytime high temperature of +1 C at treeline. 20-35 km/h easterly winds.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
