Steer clear of steep, open slopes and consequential terrain features. Storm snow needs time to bond with the crust below, and is likely more reactive at higher elevations.
Overnight snowfall will create reactive storm slabs sitting a melt freeze crust and surface hoar. Avoid terrain capable of producing large avalanches, storm snow will take time to bond and settle. Low elevations may receive a mix of rain and wet snow.
Watch for deeper and more reactive deposits in wind loaded terrain features on north and east facing slopes.
No new avalanches have been reported in the region. We expect natural and rider triggered avalanches to occur overnight Thursday and throughout Friday.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Overnight snowfall may reach up to 30 cm in some areas, redistributed by southwest winds into deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes. Storm snow buries a melt-freeze crust, existing on all aspects at treeline and below. The crust extends into the alpine on solar aspects. In north-facing high alpine terrain the surface snow may have remained cold and dry.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and bonded.
Thursday Night
Snow continues with up to 30 cm possible. Moderate southerly winds. Freezing levels around 900 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of snow possible. Winds ease to light southwesterlies. Freezing levels reach 1000 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud with light westerly winds. Freezing levels around 1000 m. Flurries possible.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with light easterly winds. Freezing levels around 1000 m. Flurries possible.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
