Avalanche likelihood and size will increase with incoming snow. Adjust your terrain choices to match the changing conditions.
By Thursday morning, there may be enough new snow to result in storm-slab activity, especially at higher elevations where winds will have built more cohesive slabs. In sheltered terrain, these slabs may rest on a layer of surface hoar.
No recent avalanches have been reported, but observations are limited at this time of year.
Let us know what you are seeing by posting a MIN if you are heading out in the backcountry!
Another 20 cm of new snow is expected by Thursday morning. This could lead to roughly 50 cm of recent snow in areas since last weekend. Moderate to strong westerly winds at higher elevations will redistribute this snow into deep pockets of wind-loaded snow.
In sheltered areas, a layer of preserved surface hoar may have been buried by recent snowfalls, likely at a depth of 30 to 50 cm.
Snow depths at treeline roughly range from 100 to 150 cm and decrease rapidly below treeline.
Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Thursday
Cloudy. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
