Keep decision making conservative during this break in the storm. Head to low angle terrain, free from overhead avalanche hazard.
Heavy snow, rain and wind have hammered the snowpack. Watch for signs of instability as you travel.
Storm slabs are expected to remain reactive to human triggers. Large avalanches are possible due to heavy accumulations of storm snow. Avoid steep open slopes and wind loaded features.
At low elevations where precipitation fell mostly as rain, wet avalanches are possible. Back off slopes that hold wet or slushy surface snow.
Widespread natural avalanche activity is expected to have occurred throughout Thursday and Thursday night as snow, wind and rain hammer the snowpack.
Above 1200m, large accumulations of storm snow can be found, redistributed into large, deep deposits on north facing terrain features by strong southerly winds.
Storm snow has fallen over up to 40 cm of settling snow at high elevations. Heavy rain (or wet snow) has likely saturated the snow surface and lower elevations. As freezing levels fall on Friday this may freeze into a hard crust.
The middle and lower snowpack are strong and well-bonded.
Thursday Night
Heavy precipitation continues with up to 80 cm possible. Freezing levels remain around 1500 m overnight. Strong to extreme southerly winds.
Friday
Snow/rain eases early morning. Skies remain cloudy with up to 5cm possible in isolated areas. Moderate southwest winds. Freezing levels around 1000 m.
Saturday
Snow returns, 40 cm possible for the west coast. Strong southwest winds. Freezing levels around 1000 m.
Sunday
Heavy snow continues. Strong to extreme southerly winds. Freezing levels rise towards 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
