A natural avalanche cycle is expected during intense stormy weather. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Intense stormy weather is expected on Wednesday, which will rapidly form storm slabs and load buried weak layers. A natural avalanche cycle is expected during periods of heavy loading.
Many small to large (size 1 to 3) storm slabs were triggered naturally and by riders on Monday. They were generally 20 to 80 cm deep, on all aspects, and released within the various storm snow layers and on surface hoar.
A few large (size 2 to 3) avalanches released on facets above the melt-freeze crust in alpine and treeline terrain, localized to the Gold Range.
Looking forward, a natural avalanche cycle is expected on Wednesday during periods of rapid snow loading.
Upwards of 50 cm of snow is forecast over the day on Wednesday. The snow will fall with strong southwest wind, forming even deeper deposits in leeward terrain features.
The snow will continue to load a weak surface hoar layer and/or weak faceted snow found 50 to 100 cm deep. Surface hoar is most likely in tree openings sheltered from the wind whereas faceted snow may be found in wind-exposed terrain into the alpine. Facets may be associated with a hard melt-freeze crust that formed mid-November.
Average treeline snow depths range from 90 to 140 cm, which tapers quickly at lower elevations.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 25 to 45 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 30 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Friday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
