New snow may form reactive storm slabs in areas with more than 20cm over the crust.
Dial back to more conservative terrain as hazard increases throughout the day.
New storm slabs are expected to be small but reactive due to the large surface hoar they’ll form over.
The storm slab will be most reactive in sheltered areas where surface hoar is buried, or along ridges where winds have drifted the new snow.
A human-triggered size 1 storm slab over the surface hoar/crust combo was reported on a northerly treeline slope just south of the region on Wednesday.
We expect new snow building over surface hoar will begin a cycle of natural and human triggered avalanches on Friday.
If you are getting out, please share observations like avalanches, weather and riding conditions to the Mountain Information Network.
Up to 30 cm of new snow will sit over a widespread crust/surface hoar combination by the end of Friday. This weak combination may be reaching its first notable tipping point.
This new snow will be accompanied by moderate to strong southwest wind, meaning that the crust will likely remain on the surface on southerly aspects and deeper deposits will be found on north and east aspects. The surface hoar is largest on sheltered treeline and below treeline features.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Friday
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing levels 800 m rising to 1400 m by the afternoon.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
