Avalanche danger will increase through the day as new snow and wind build deep and reactive storm slabs over a slippery crust. At lower elevations, loose wet avalanches become increasingly likely as the snowpack is soaked by rain. Stick to conservative, low angle terrain free from overhead hazard.
Storm slabs may slide easily on an underlying crust. Be especially cautious where winds have redistributed new snow into deep pockets in lees, watch for an increase in slab properties and reactivity.
A rain saturates the upper snowpack at lower elevations, loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely.
No reports of avalanche activity in the last few days. We anticipate widespread natural storm slab and loose wet avalanche activity during periods of heavy snowfall/rain Monday and Tuesday. There is potential for deep storm slabs to slide on a buried crust, producing large and destructive avalanches.
Please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network, the information is very helpful to forecasters.
15-25 cm of new snow is forecast to fall amid strong wind over the day Monday, at elevations above 1000 m. At upper elevations, the new snow adds to 40 cm of recent snow sitting over a hard crust. Snowpack tests have shown a poor bond between the crust and overlying snow. The middle and lower snowpack is strong and bonded.
Sunday night
Cloudy. Moderate westerly wind. Freezing level 1200 m.
Monday
Snowfall 15-25 cm, falling as rain below 1000 m. Strong southwest wind. Freezing level climbing to 1400 m.
Tuesday
Heavy snowfall 25-50 cm overnight with another 15-25 cm over the day, falling as rain below 1100 m. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Freezing level 1500 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. Light northwest wind. Freezing level 500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
