Heightened avalanche conditions exist on specific terrain features as wind will increase.
The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
Forecasted winds will likely transport the recent snow to develop wind slabs. These will be increasingly reactive and located on the immediate lee of features. Rider-triggerable avalanches will be possible, especially on steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
A natural storm slab was observed on a north-easterly aspect at 1800 m on Tuesday near Yak Peak. Over the weekend, numerous natural and skier-triggered loose dry avalanches were reported (up to size 2) out of steep, north-facing terrain near treeline. Solar-triggered loose wet avalanches (up to size 1) out of steep solar aspects at all elevations.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Surfaces are variable according to aspects and elevations. On steep southerly aspects and low elevations, a moist or crusty surface has likely formed. At upper elevations, shady wind-sheltered areas hold dry, low-density snow. Recent snow from the past weekend (30-50 cm) has seen wind loading mostly isolated to the immediate lees of ridge top. Recent snow appears to be bonding well to underlying surfaces, including melt-freeze crusts. Snow at low elevations is rapidly settling out.
The mid and lower snowpack consists of several old crusts and facetted snow that continue to be monitored, particularly in shallow snowpack areas.
Fair weather continues until a warm system crashes into the south coastal ranges Friday. Warm & windy conditions are expected to impact the region over the weekend.
Wednesday night
Cloudy with clear periods. Moderate southwest wind. Alpine high -1 °C. Freezing level around 1100 m.
Thursday
Cloudy. Isolated flurries up to 5 cm. Moderate south wind gusting 50 km/h. Alpine high 0 °C. Freezing level rises to 1800 m.
Friday
Cloudy. Isolated flurries up to 5 cm. Moderate southwest wind gusting 50 km/h Alpine high -2 °C. Freezing level around 1600 m.
Saturday
Cloudy. Isolated flurries up to 5 cm. Moderate southwest wind gusting 50 km/h. Alpine high -4 °C. Freezing level rises to 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
