Fresh storm slabs may become increasingly reactive throughout the day, especially in wind loaded areas. Watch for signs of instability such as whumfing, cracking, and recent avalanches.
Continued caution is warranted around steep, shaded slopes around treeline where pockets of buried surface hoar may still be preserved. This layer may become more reactive with the additional load from new snow and wind loading on Thursday.
Up to 20 cm could be expected by the end of the day, forming storm slabs that may increase in reactivity throughout the day.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Flurries, 5-10 cm / moderate to strong south wind / alpine low temperature near -8
THURSDAY - Flurries, 5-10 cm / moderate to strong south wind / alpine high temperature near -5
FRIDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / light southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -5
SATURDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / moderate south wind / alpine high temperature near -7
With continued snowfall through the day and strong winds expected, storm slabs could become increasingly reactive throughout the day on Thursday, especially in wind loaded areas.
A size 1 human triggered wind slab avalanche was reported on a northwest aspect at 2100 m near Whitewater on Sunday.
Another size 1 human triggered wind slab avalanche was reported on a northeast aspect at 2000 m in the Five Mile Provincial Park area on Saturday.
10-20 cm of new snow is expected in the region between Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon, with moderate to strong south wind.
One or more crusts may exist in the upper snowpack depending on elevation and area within the region. The uppermost crust extends up to around 2000 m. In higher terrain, 15-20 cm of snow may sit over a crust and/or large surface hoar crystals.
Another layer of surface hoar found 20-50 cm below the surface in isolated areas in the north and east of the region appears to be gaining strength but could become more reactive with some new snow in the coming days.
A couple of crusts surrounded by weak faceted grains are buried deep within the snowpack. The upper layer is 80 to 130 cm deep and the lower is near the ground.
