Expect dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid avalanche terrain during and after the storm.
Check out the Forecaster Blog on how to manage the changing conditions.
New snow and wind have formed reactive slabs over a weak layer of surface hoar. Storm slabs could step down to a crust/surface hoar layer buried in mid January.
A few small wind slabs were reported yesterday.
We expect avalanche activity to increase in frequency and size through the weekend.
Up to 50 cm of new snow overlies a surface hoar layer, particularly around treeline elevations and below. In sun-exposed terrain, surface hoar may rest atop a thin crust, while elsewhere it sits atop a mix of old wind-affected surfaces and weak, faceted snow.
A widespread crust with facets and/or surface hoar, buried in mid-January, is approximately 30 to 70 cm below the surface.
The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled.
Friday night
Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature - 15 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -25 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -25 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
