Flurries and new snow are not expected to bond well to a slippery crust. Expect avalanche size and sensitivity to increase as snowfall accumulates.
Snowfall accumulating through the day is not expected to bond well to a slippery crust. Expect storm slab size and sensitivity to increase through Thursday.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy / moderate south wind / ridgeline temperature low -6 / freezing level dropping below 500 m
THURSDAY: Flurries and snow, 10-15 cm accumulating through the day / moderate south-southwesterly wind / ridgeline temperature high -1 / freezing level below 900 m
FRIDAY: Heavy snow, 20-30 cm / moderate gusting to high southerly wind / ridgeline temperature high -1 / freezing level around 700 m
SATURDAY: Cloudy with flurries, 5 cm / moderate southerly wind / ridgeline temperature high -2 / freezing level around 700 m
On Monday, riders found soft low density storm snow rapidly gaining strength and reactivity as temperatures warmed through the day. Slab avalanches size 1-1.5 and 15-30 cm deep released naturally and were triggered by skiers and explosives in the afternoon. There are some tremendous visuals in this MIN report.
Snowfall accumulating Thursday will cover a widespread crust on most slopes and a variety of wind affected surfaces and crusts at upper elevations.
An unusual mix of facets, thin breakable crust, and isolated pockets of surface hoar is found 15-30 cm below the surface. This overlies 30-40 cm of gradually faceting snow, over a wide spread and supportive crust underneath. The snowpack is well settled below.
