Alpine: Considerable
Treeline: Considerable
Below Treeline: Low
Travel Advisory: Light snow is accumulating over weak facetted
snow and a widespread rain crust in most areas. The loose surface layers and
areas of soft slab are easily triggered in steeper terrain. Heavy loads have
been observed to trigger deep instabilities in isolated terrain at higher
elevations.
Avalanche Activity: Natural and skier-triggered Size 1 slabs
were observed early this week. Isolated deep slabs have been reported since
late last week. These have varied from a skier-triggered one metre deep Size 2
wind loaded slab to a Size 3 slab triggered by a snow cat and running on a
buried October weak layer.
Snowpack: The Dec. 3rd rain crust is in evidence to at least
2,180 metres, but it varies in depth and strength depending on aspect and
elevation. In the alpine the snow above the crust has been affected or
scoured by winds. Facetting above the Dec. 3rd rain crust is widespread.
Weather: A Northwesterly flow aloft will continue to bring cool
temperatures and snow flurries to our area through Thursday. A more potent
weather system is expected to bring steady snowfall by late Friday.