If you're getting out in the cold, remember that freezing temperatures and shorter days make for higher consequences.
Watch for isolated pockets of lingering wind slabs in places you might not expect them.
Isolated pockets of wind slabs may exist in the alpine and upper treeline elevations due to reverse loading created by strong outflow winds. In frigid temperatures, slabs may take longer than usual to heal and bond to the snow below them. Avoid wind-loaded features during this time of continuous strong north winds.
No new avalanches have been observed or reported in the past 24 hour period. Continue to support your backcountry community and please consider submitting a MIN report, Your information sharing is vital.
The snowpack has been highly wind-affected from the past strong to extreme north wind. Upper elevation terrain has been scoured and in some places the ground is exposed. The height of the snowpack is variable, areas in the lee of the prevailing wind depths of up to 150cm can be found. Most of the upper snowpack presents as a crust in areas protected from the wind, it is expected that between 10-15cm overlies the crust. At the lower elevation treeline terrain, snow depths decrease and is estimated at 60 to 90 cm.
This extended period of cold artic air is forecast to begin to slowly subside late Friday. A series of warm winter storm fronts approaching from the south of British Columbia will for this forecast area produce a slight rise in temperature and light snowfall.
Wednesday night
Cloudy. Flurries 1 cm. Northeast winds at 20 km/h at ridge tops. Temperatures near -26˚C.
Thursday
Cloudy. Flurries 1 cm. Northeast winds at 20 km/h at ridge tops. Temperatures near -25˚C.
Friday
Snow 1-5 cm. Southwesterly winds at 40 km/h at ridge tops. Temperatures near -26˚C.
Saturday
Snow 1-5 cm. Southwesterly winds at 60 km/h at ridge tops. Temperatures near -24˚C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
