High freezing levels and heavy new snow will keep avalanche hazard elevated. Natural avalanche activity has tapered off but human triggered avalanches are still likely
Surface hoar (10-20mm) has now been buried by ~60cm of heavy/wet new snow. Expect this layer to be reactive as additional snow or rain falls and settles it into a cohesive storm slab. This layer will be deeper in wind loaded areas.
A widespread natural avalanche cycle Tuesday/Wednesday was triggered by heavy snowfall turning to heavy rain at most elevations. Avalanches to size 3.5 were showing very wide propagation across terrain features and running far into the runout zones.
Natural avalanche activity has tapered off but conditions remain prime for human triggered avalanches.
Approximately 50cms of new snow has fallen over the last few days with very warm temperatures. This has created either a crust or moist surface snow. This moist heavy snow sits on top of a large weak layer of surface hoar.
There is ~130cm of snow at tree line, below average for this time of year. Many early-season hazards still exist at or just below the snow surface.
The base of the snowpack consists of weak, sugary facets in most areas.
Snowfall with moderate winds will continue overnight Wednesday and into Thursday as the remnants of the storm move through.
Tonight: Mainly Cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine low of -6°C. Winds 20km/hr. Freezing Level 1100m.
Thurs: Snow flurries, with trace snow. Alpine high of -7°C. Winds 15km/hr. Freezing Level 1100m.
Fri: Mainly cloudy with flurries, trace of new snow. Alpine high of -10°C.
