Increased winds and light snow may raise the danger rating in some areas. The deep persistent layer of facets appears dormant for now, with limited uncertainty in very steep, thin areas east of the divide.
Depending on the forecast, 0-7cm is expected on Friday (mostly up Highway 93N). The bigger story is strong winds, which may move any new snow and surface facets that have recently developed, causing sluffing in steep alpine terrain.
No new avalanches observed or reported on Wednesday
Extensive wind effect exists in the alpine, with some surface faceting helping to break down crusts and create softer skiing. In sheltered areas at treeline and below, widespread surface hoar was buried by a few centimetres on Saturday and is now the Jan 24 layer. A deeper surface hoar layer lies 50–60 cm down, but there have been no recent avalanches. Basal crust and/or facets exist in thin snowpack areas, but overall, this year's deeper snowpack is stronger than usual.
Friday: Strengthening alpine winds and trace to 7 cm by the end of the day, depending on the forecast model. Temperatures will stay mild with treeline at ~-5C and valley bottoms going above freezing.
Saturday and Sunday: Potential for a few cm Saturday with decreasing winds and continued mild temperatures.
No major snow in the forecast. Click here for mountain weather tables from Environment Canada.
