An intense storm has created very dangerous avalanche conditions on the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
30-60 cm of new snow and strong wind has likely resulted in large reactive wind slabs in open terrain and soft storm slabs in sheltered terrain. Fast moving dry loose avalanches are also likely in steep terrain. The bottom line is that most avalanche terrain has the potential to produce large avalanches right now.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Scattered flurries with another 5-15 cm of low density snow, 50-80 km/h wind from the east, alpine temperatures drop to -20 C.
THURSDAY: Flurries ease off throughout the day but still may deliver another 5-10 cm of snow in the morning, clearing skies in the afternoon, 30 km/h wind from the east, alpine high temperatures around -15 C.
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny, light wind from the northeast, alpine high temperatures around -15 C.
SATURDAY: Sunny, light wind, alpine high temperatures around -10 C.
Natural and human triggered avalanches will remain likely on Thursday. The combination of strong wind and at least 30-60 cm of new snow will create the potential for storm slab, wind slab, and dry loose avalanches on the eastern slopes of the Rockies. We have not yet received any reports of avalanches in the region, but observations are very limited this time of year and the sheer amount of new snow suggests avalanches will remain very likely.
An intense winter storm has delivered 30-60 cm of low density snow to the eastern slopes of the Rockies (and little to none in BC). Another 0-30 cm is possible over Wednesday night and into Thursday morning as the storm tracks east. Strong wind from the northeast has likely created extra deep deposits and hard wind slabs in open terrain, while other areas may be scoured down to rocks and old crusty snow. The new snow has fallen on a highly variable early season snowpack. Some alpine terrain already had 50-100 cm of snow while other alpine terrain features and lower elevations have had no snow prior to this storm. In areas that had prior snow, there could be a crust in the snowpack that could act as a sliding layer for the snow above it.
