New wind slabs may form at higher elevations over Friday.
New wind slabs may form on Friday as new snow and strong wind impact the region. Assess for the formation of slabs if you venture to steep, leeward terrain.
An offshore low pressure system is bringing cooler temperatures and flurries with highly variable amounts of new snow.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Scattered flurries with 5-10 cm of new snow, 40-50 km/h south wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C with freezing level dropping to 800 m.
FRIDAY: Scattered flurries continue with another 5-10 cm of snow possible, resulting in 24 h accumulations between 5-15 cm, 40-60 km/h south wind, treeline temperatures around -4 C with freezing level around 1300 m.
SATURDAY: Flurries end by the morning then a mix of sun and cloud, 30 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.
SUNDAY: Cloudy with some isolated flurries, 30-50 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.
A few small wet loose avalanches were triggered naturally during the heat of the day over the past few days. Otherwise, no new avalanches were observed. Avalanche activity is expected to increase in the coming days as a series of storms impact the region.
Variable snowfall amounts and strong south wind on Friday may form new wind slabs in lee terrain features. The new snow will overlie a melt-freeze crust up to around 1700 m and higher on sun-exposed slopes or wind-affected dry snow on northerly aspects at high elevations. Remember that cornices along ridgelines are large at this time of year and always have the possibility of failing naturally or from the weight of a human.
