A widespread avalanche cycle continues across the region; avoid avalanche terrain again on Thursday. Great snow quality can be found in the trees. Mt Field and Mt Whymper are both closed all day on Thursday as avalanche control operations will be underway. More snow again on Friday and Saturday.
With the large volume of new snow and strong winds, widespread sluffing is occurring in steep terrain at all elevations. Avoid exposure to steep faces and gullies until the snow has had a chance to settle.
60 cm of storm snow has added a significant additional load to the snowpack, with strong winds contributing to the formation of both storm and windslabs. With the large new load and several buried crusts mid-snowpack, there is a very high likelihood of natural and human-triggered avalanches.
Many avalanches were observed from avalanche control across BC and Alberta yesterday and today, with avalanche control operations continuing on Thursday. Backcountry observations have been limited due to the storm, but avalanches up to size 3 have been triggered in numerous locations.
Another 15 cm of snow in the past 24-hours brings the 6-day storm total to 40 cm on the east side of the range, and 70 cm to the west. LOTS of storm snow has been blown into widespread, reactive wind and storm slabs. Several crusts exist in the mid-snowpack, and avalanches are likely failing on those right now too.
The storm track continues to pump moisture across the area:
Wednesday Night: 10 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
Friday: Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing level 0 m.
