Avalanche Danger is expected to spike during a storm on Thursday.
Confidence
Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Thursday
Weather Forecast
Wednesday: Cloudy with scattered light flurries increasing to moderate snowfall in the evening. Strong SW winds are expected with the onset of significant precipitation and freezing levels should hover around 1300m. Thursday: Snow with 20-30cm of total accumulation. Strong SW winds and freezing levels around 1200m. Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with no significant precipitation expected. Freezing levels lowering to 900m and light winds.
Avalanche Summary
No significant avalanche activity reported on Monday.
Snowpack Summary
Snowpack depths vary across the region and with elevation, but overall below average for this time of year. Wind-exposed areas are highly variable with scoured areas and deep drifts, and the snowpack below treeline is still mostly below threshold for avalanche activity. Mid and lower snowpack layers include facets (which may overlie a crust in some areas) and spotty surface hoar in sheltered terrain. In most places the overlying slab seems to be well bonded, but continued settlement could make the slab more reactive before the facets gain strength. Below 1800m is a surface crust with a skiff of snow on it.Early season riding hazards such as rocks, stumps and logs are lurking below the surface in many areas. In glaciated terrain new snow on the surface might be just enough to hide open crevasses where supportive snow bridges have not yet developed.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.