An incoming storm will raise avalanche hazard over the next few days.
New snow falling on a reactive weak layer will cause sluffing in steep terrain. As new snow accumulates on Thursday, rider triggering of this problem will increase.
Expect new snow to be easily triggered in steep terrain.
Few dry loose and wet loose small avalanches have been reported early in the week. These have been both sun and rider triggered in steep terrain.
Field teams have observed rider triggered size 1's the past few days, which were isolated to the top 10-15cm of snow on old firm bed surfaces. Despite their small size, they were moving fast in steep terrain.
A sun crust formed on steep solar aspects and widespread surface hoar will start to get buried on Thursday.
Below this interface are firm, wind pressed surfaces in exposed areas and low density sugary snow in sheltered areas.
The Jan 7th layer is down 30-60cm, comprised of surface hoar (all aspects) and/or a thin crust on steep S aspects. The mid and lower snowpack are well bonded and strong.
A storm will arrive Thursday, bringing moderate to heavy precipitation through Saturday.
Tonight Cloudy. Alp Low: -10. Ridge wind SW 25 km/h. Freezing level (FZL) at valley bottom
Thurs Flurries. 5-10cm. Alp high -8°C. Ridge wind SW 15km/h. FLZ 700m.
Fri Snow. 10-15cm. Alp high -6°C. Ridge wind S 15km/h gusting to 50km/h. FZL 1000m.
Sat Snow. 5-10 cm. Alp high -7°C. Ridge wind light, gusting to moderate. FZL 1000m.
Friday