Avalanche control on Thursday produced many avalanches to size 3 (see avalanche summary). Human-triggered avalanches are likely for the next few days.
30-60 cm of storm snow has added a significant additional load to the snowpack, with strong winds contributing to the formation of windslabs. These will remain reactive in the short term and can be found on all aspects at treeline and above.
Avalanches in the storm snow triggered with explosives on Thursday were often stepping down to the Nov 22 crust/facets down 60-80+cm, causing larger avalanches.
There is a lot of snow hanging from cliff faces, which can catch people off guard in gullies and extreme terrain. While winds are elevated, this will be a problem.
Busy day for avalanches. Explosive control on Mount Whymper and Mt. Field produced many avalanches to size 3. Most were starting in the storm snow (~30-60cm), then stepping down to one of the deeper layers, likely the Nov. 22 crust/facets (~60-80cm). A few times, the bag hitting the slope triggered the slide. There was evidence of a widespread natural cycle to size 3.5 during the recent storm with similar layering.
10-25cm over the past 36 hours, and 30-60+cm since Dec 7. This, combined with strong SW winds, has developed widespread wind slabs. 60-80 cm of snow sits over the Nov. 22 interface, which is a sun crust or facets. Further down, the Nov. 13 rain crust exists to 2100-2300 m.
A cold start to Friday as the arctic air sneaks into the valley for a couple of days. -17 to -20C in the AM, warming to -9C with another 5-8cm of snow and moderate gusting strong winds in the alpine.
On Saturday and Sunday, we expect a warm-up with stronger winds.
For more info, click here for Environment Canada tables.
