As storm snow continues to accumulate throughout the day watch for storm slabs becoming increasingly reactive. Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 30 cm of new snow.
+30 cm of storm snow and extreme southwest ridgetop winds are building touchy storm slabs above a hard melt-freeze crust. Closely monitor how new snow is bonding to the underlying crust. Be especially cautious where winds have redistributed snow into deep pockets in lees, watch for an increase in slab properties and reactivity.
No significant avalanches have been reported in the last few days however backcountry users should expect to see evidence of a natural avalanche cycle from within the storm when they are in the backcountry this weekend.
Please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network, the information is very helpful to forecasters.
By Saturday morning +30 cm of storm snow overlies a melt-freeze crust. The crust varies in thickness from thick and supportive to thin and breakable. The middle and lower snowpack is strong and bonded.
Friday night
Flurries bring 35 - 40 mm of precipitation to upslope areas of the north shore. Southwesterly ridgetop winds 60 to 80 km/h. Treeline temperatures -2 ˚C. Freezing levels fall from 1800 m to 1000 m.
Saturday
The storm continues with cloudy skies and flurries, 20 - 25 mm precipitation. Southerly ridgetop winds 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures warm to -1 ˚C. Freezing levels 1300 m.
SundayMainly cloudy with scattered flurries, 15 - 20 mm precipitation. Strong southerly ridgetop winds ease to light in the afternoon. Treeline temperatures warm to -1 ˚C. Freezing levels 1200 m.
MondayCloudy skies with scattered flurries, 20 - 30 mm precipitation. Extreme southwesterly ridgetop winds ease to moderate in the afternoon. Treeline temperatures warm to 0 ˚C. Freezing levels 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
