Sheltered lower elevations will offer the best, safest riding during Thursday's storm. Danger should steadily increase through the day. Updated 6:15 am Jan 16
Reactive new wind slabs and storm slabs should form with forecast snowfall and wind through Thursday. Older, now buried wind slabs at higher elevations haven't been capped by a crust and may still react to human triggers.
Check out these MIN reports for a description of active avalanche conditions in the Bijoux and Torpy areas on Sunday.
On Saturday a rider triggered a large wind slab and was fully buried against a tree. The victim was dug out very quickly by their party.
New snow and strong wind through Thursday should revive active avalanche conditions for the coming few days.
15 - 25 cm of new snow should accumulate through Thursday, adding to light amounts already burying a new surface crust below about 1200 m. In exposed areas above the elevation of the new crust, new snow will bury recent wind slabs and otherwise wind-affected snow.
In sheltered areas, 30 - 50 cm of recent snow has been settling on a variety of layers, including surface hoar, crusts, and sugary facets. Wind slabs will likely stay reactive where they overlie these layers at higher elevations.
The middle and lower snowpack is generally strong with no weak layers of concern.
Wednesday night
Cloudy with flurries bringing 5 to 15 cm of new snow. 60 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling from 1900 m to 1200 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 40 to 70 km/h west ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Friday
Diminishing cloud and easing isolated flurries with up to 5 cm of new snow, including overnight amounts. 20 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature dropping to -14 °C.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
