Seek out areas with soft powder snow on the surface.
Recent snow will be more likely to avalanche in terrain that has been affected by wind.
Fresh snow will be easily moved by wind, watch for reactive slabs around ridgecrest and steep tools. Alpine-like features at treeline that are cross-loaded will be a concern.
On Thursday through Saturday, several small explosive and rider-triggered avalanches were reported in the recent snow in alpine and treeline terrain.
Alpine terrain is wind-affected, while sheltered areas have settling snow from recent storms.
A layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or crusts buried in early December is 50-70 cm deep. No avalanches have been reported on this layer since December 19 and it's possible that the recent mild temperatures helped it bond to the rest of the snowpack.
The lower snowpack is strong and settled south of Highway 1, and potentially weaker and more faceted north of Highway 1.
Treeline snow depths vary from 90-150 cm.
Sunday night
Mostly cloudy with flurries, up to 2 cm of snow. Light variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with light flurries. 15 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny. 15 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 5 to 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
