Storm slabs may be deeper than expected, with moderate winds accompanying recent storms. Keep an eye out for touchy storm slabs in alpine, treeline, and upper below treeline elevations.
10 to 25 cm of new snow has buried a surface hoar layer that formed over various surfaces of hard wind-pressed snow, facets, and melt-freeze crusts, creating touchy wind slabs in the south of this region where we had the most snow.
In areas where more than 20 cm of new snow accumulated over a large surface hoar layer, touchy storm slabs are likely, especially in open areas where the storm was accompanied by wind.
Observations are limited this time of year. Please consider filling out a MIN report if you head out in the backcountry! 🙏
In the south of this region, near Nelson 25 cm of new snow has buried a surface hoar layer formed during the clear, cool weather over various surfaces of wind-pressed snow, sun crust, and faceted soft snow. Things look a bit different in the north of this region, where we only had 5 to 10 cm of new snow.
The mid-pack is generally faceted. Near the base of the snowpack is a crust with facets or depth hoar beneath it.
Expect early-season conditions with a shallower-than-average snowpack. At treeline and the upper end of below treeline, snowpack depths are between 30-80 cm. Below this, snowpack depths taper quickly. Check out the new Forecaster Blog Trouble ahead?
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, scattered flurries with trace accumulations. Southwest alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with flurries, 3 to 7 cm accumulation. South alpine wind 15 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with flurries, 2 to 5 cm accumulation, south alpine wind 5 to 10 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C
Tuesday
Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 30 to 40 cm accumulation, snow switching to rain. Southwest alpine wind 20 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperatures 3 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
