Stormy conditions may form new slabs that could be touchy to riders.
Recent large avalanches released on buried weak layers in northerly alpine terrain. Similar avalanches could be triggered in the coming days.
New slabs may build over the day with new snow and strong wind. These slabs will be particularly touchy where they rest on weak surface hoar crystals.
We've received a few reports of some recent large avalanches that likely released on buried weak layers (here and here). Most of the avalanches released on northerly alpine terrain.
Looking forward, new slabs may form during stormy conditions on Thursday. It will also remain possible to trigger large avalanches on northerly alpine terrain.
Please continue to share your observations via the Mountain Information Network. Thank you!
Stormy conditions will bring around 10 to 20 cm of new snow by the end of Thursday. This snow will accumulate over a layer of surface hoar crystals on shaded aspects and a melt-freeze crust at lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. Strong wind may form deeper deposits in lee terrain features.
We have limited snowpack information, but this report suggests a generally weak lower snowpack with various potential layers of concern, which recently produced large avalanches.
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Friday
Cloudy with 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
