New snow and wind are building storm slabs in the mountains. Expect touchy conditions and post your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: A trace of new snow with moderate southwest winds and freezing level to 1000m. FRIDAY: 25-40cm of snow in the alpine, moderate to strong southwest wind, with freezing level up to 1500m. Precipitation will peak with freezing level in the afternoon. SATURDAY: 10-15cm of snow increasing over the day. Moderate southwest winds with freezing level to 1000m
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche observations have been reported but fresh storm slams are growing and will be touchy. If you have been out in the mountains, please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
New snow over Tuesday night and Wednesday have added to storm slabs at higher elevations, which are especially deep and touchy on leeward slopes and in exposed areas. Total snowpack depths are likely around 160cm at treeline and over 2 metres at higher elevations. Aside from instabilities in storm snow, warm temperatures are promoting rapid settlement and strengthening of the snowpack.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.