A substantial amount of snow continues to accumulate, producing dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoidance and conservative terrain travel are warranted for a safe day in the backcountry.
Storm snow totals have exceeded 80 cm since the weekend, with more snow forecast into Tuesday. Touchy storm slabs in sheltered areas and wind slabs in exposed areas have formed. These slabs may take some time to stabilize, as they overly various smooth and/or weak layers.
MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, 40 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -5 C.
TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 40 km/h west wind, treeline temperature -5 C.
WEDNESDAY: Increasing clouds with no precipitation, 20 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -5 C.
THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 20 to 30 cm, 50 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -3 C.
Widespread storm slab avalanches were observed within the storm snow on Sunday. A similar trend likely occurred as the storm continued on Monday.
We'd appreciate any observations while you are out travelling, even just a photo, on the Mountain Information Network.
A substantial amount of snow has accumulated in the region since January 1, with storm totals around 80 cm or more. More snow is forecast into Tuesday. All this snow has formed a touchy storm slab in sheltered areas and wind slabs in exposed terrain at higher elevations.
The storm snow overlies a thin but hard melt-freeze crust found up to about 1700 m. In wind-exposed terrain, the snow likely overlies previously wind-hardened snow. There is also the possibility of the storm snow sitting on weak and sugary faceted grains and/or feathery surface hoar that formed during the extended cold period in late December.
The middle and base of the snowpack are strong, consisting of well-bonded snow and a few hard melt-freeze crusts.
